Firm-Level Investor Sentiment and Risk: Insight from Behavioral Finance

Abstract

The aim of this study to analyses the investor sentiment, attentions and types of risk which are incurred after specific event like scam etc. This study used monthly dataset of prices from 2006 to 2022 due to availability of data. The event approach is used for data analysis with different data segregation like affected or unaffected datasets of firms. Firm-specific sentiment and attention increased slightly after the scam, indicating market interest and better firm perceptions. Political, noise trader, arbitrage, sovereign, and realised volatility increased during events. The perception of instability and uncertainty suggests scams increase market fears and risk aversion while attracting attention. A detailed comparison between scammed and unaffected firms showed stark differences. Financial scams lowered market confidence and firm stability, causing negative sentiment, lower attention, and higher risks across multiple dimensions. The differential impact suggests that scams' reputational and operational damage can cripple a firm's finances and investor perceptions. The study affects financial economics and market behaviour theory. The study shows how firm-specific sentiment and attention affect risk measures, explaining market dynamics' psychological and behavioural underpinnings. Financial anomalies like scams affect market outcomes due to investor sentiment and attention. Sentiment can force through risk perceptions, so integrated financial analysis models must account for behavioural and psychological factors. Financial scandals affect firm-specific and market-wide variables, according to event studies. With the insights, investors, regulators, and corporate managers can improve market and regulatory practices. This study examines how financial scams affect firm-specific and market-wide variables using theory and practice during and after event.