Financial social media refers to platforms where users discuss and share information related to financial markets, investments, and economic trends where users exchange ideas, seek advice, and stay updated on financial news. This second edition includes theoretical models, new methodologies, and empirical data, along with tests that reveal how online communication not only impacts stock returns, but also volatility, trading volume, and liquidity, as well as an investing firm's value and reputation. The book introduces what financial social media is and why it's important. It discusses who is more likely to post messages on financial social media and why while demonstrating how to measure financial social media activities using statistical approaches. Based on intuition, logic, and empirical evidence, the book explores the patterns of posting activities and argues that online talk does matter to investors. It also discusses trading strategies for both retail and institutional investors, and looks to the future in how the industry might change. It will be of interest to researchers of financial services, social media, behavioral finance, and risk management, alongside policymakers and practitioners. Ying Zhang is Associate Professor at Fairfield University, USA, and serves/served on the editorial boards of the Journal of Mathematical Finance, Journal of Real Estate Practice and Education, Journal of Real Estate Literature, International Business & Management and the American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Business.
His research focuses in the areas of international equity diversification, real estate assets allocation, REITs, asset pricing, portfolio management, and financial social media. Dr. Zhang has published articles in peer-reviewed journals, such as Journal of Banking & Finance, Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Journal of Financial Research, Real Estate Economics, Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics, and Journal of Real Estate Research. He has also made frequent presentations at national and international scholarly conferences, such as Financial Management Association (FMA) and the American Real Estate Society (ARES). Praise for the First Edition (Stock Message Boards) "Long overdue, Zhang's Stock Message Boards provides a consistent, comprehensive, and analytical analysis of the functioning of stock message boards and their impact on financial asset pricing. Zhang clearly establishes the need for and benefit of thorough quantitative measurement and analysis of stock message boards and their operational effects." --Peggy E. Swanson, Professor Emeritus, University of Texas at Arlington, USA "In finance, information is king.
The internet has led to the democratization and rapid release of investor opinion. In Stock Message Boards, Zhang carefully discusses the different market participants and delineates between announcements that are news and noise." --Steve Swidler, J. Stanley Mackin Professor of Finance, Auburn University, USA "Zhang helps readers navigate through the maze of social media terminology and practices, captivating the reader with stories of soaring and plunging stock prices brought on by message board activities. This book is a must-read for stock market practitioners, scholars, and policymakers, especially during the current era of social media." --Larry Lockwood, Stan Block Endowed Chair in Finance, Texas Christian University, USA.