Investor Sentiment and Asset Pricing: A Cross-Market Analysis

Abstract

The role of investor sentiment in asset pricing has garnered substantial academic and practical attention, particularly in the context of increasingly interconnected global financial markets. This research investigates the influence of investor sentiment on asset pricing across multiple financial markets, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of how psychological and behavioral factors intersect with fundamental valuation mechanisms. The study employs a cross-market analytical framework, incorporating both developed and emerging markets, to capture the nuanced differences in sentiment-driven pricing behaviors. Investor sentiment, often manifested through optimistic or pessimistic market perceptions, can create temporary deviations from intrinsic asset values. This study analyzes the extent to which sentiment indicators—such as trading volume surges, volatility indexes, media-based sentiment scores, and survey-based confidence indices—affect asset prices across different asset classes, including equities, bonds, and commodities. Utilizing panel data econometric models and sentiment proxies, the research examines short-term and long-term pricing effects under varying market conditions. The findings reveal that investor sentiment significantly influences asset prices, with stronger effects observed in markets characterized by lower liquidity, higher informational asymmetry, and greater participation by retail investors. In developed markets, sentiment tends to exert a pronounced impact during periods of economic uncertainty, financial crises, or abrupt macroeconomic policy shifts. Conversely, in emerging markets, the influence of sentiment is often amplified due to weaker regulatory frameworks, limited market depth, and higher susceptibility to external shocks. Furthermore, the study highlights the asymmetric effects of positive and negative sentiment on asset pricing. Positive sentiment tends to drive asset prices above their fundamental values, fostering asset bubbles and speculative rallies, while negative sentiment can lead to sharp corrections and market overreactions. Cross-market correlations indicate that sentiment contagion can occur, wherein extreme sentiment in one market transmits to others, exacerbating global financial volatility. This research contributes to the growing literature on behavioral finance by integrating psychological dimensions into traditional asset pricing models. The study’s cross-market approach offers valuable insights for investors, policymakers, and financial institutions in formulating strategies to mitigate sentiment-induced mispricings. Understanding the dynamics of investor sentiment not only enhances risk management practices but also aids in developing more robust pricing models that account for both rational and irrational market forces.