Attention Allocation and Return Co-Movement: Evidence from Repeated Natural Experiments

Abstract

We hypothesize that when investors’ attention to financial markets decreases, they rationally allocate relatively more attention to market-level information than to firm-specific information, leading to increases in stock return co-movements. Using large jackpot lotteries as exogenous shocks that attract investors’ attention away from the stock market, we find supportive evidence that stock returns co-move more with the market on large jackpot days. This effect is stronger for stocks preferred by retail investors and is not driven by gambling sentiment. We also find that stock returns are less sensitive to earnings surprises and co-move more with industries on large jackpot days.

Keywords: limited attention, attention allocation, return co-movement, earnings surprises

JEL Classification: G11, G12, G14