Financial Sophistication, Personality and Stock Market Participation: Theory and Evidence

In this empirical study, the authors examined the extent to which financial sophistication and personality effects stock market participation. Using archival research methodology, our hypothesis has been tested on a random sample of 451 stock market participants. Moderation has been tested through Andrew Hayes process. Extroversion and openness to experience positively impact stock market participation, while consciousness, agreeableness, and neuroticism have a negative impact. Financial literacy, trading experience and gender are the likely paths by which personality impacts stock market participation. Financial literacy can modify the relationship between some basic personality traits and stock market participation. It shows that behavior finance is not completely predetermined by one’s DNA and also identifies which traits are less influenced by financial literacy. Perhaps this implies that these traits are more predetermined by one’s innate characteristics. This study provides an interdisciplinary contribution by extending Big Five taxonomy as a viable approach for stock market participation. Future research may investigate the impact of family resources, investment exposure, and parent’s financial literacy, which were beyond the scope of the current study. The theoretical and practical implications of the study with respect to stock market participation are discussed.