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Abstract
This qualitative study explores investment decision-making in the context of high-frequency trading (HFT), investment strategies, and portfolio performance within the financial market. The research aims to provide insights into the complex dynamics influencing investment decisions and their implications for market participants. Adopting a qualitative research design, the study conducts a comprehensive review and analysis of existing literature from academic journals, books, and conference proceedings. The data collection process involves synthesizing insights from diverse sources to uncover underlying themes, patterns, and contradictions surrounding investment decision-making. Through thematic analysis and constant comparison, the study identifies key findings related to the role of HFT, diversity of investment strategies, and evaluation of portfolio performance. The results highlight the transformative impact of HFT on market liquidity, efficiency, and stability, while also raising concerns about market fragmentation and systemic risks. Additionally, the study explores the evolution of investment strategies, ranging from traditional approaches like fundamental analysis to emerging techniques such as algorithmic trading and quantitative strategies. It underscores the importance of tailoring investment strategies to individual preferences and market conditions for optimizing portfolio performance. Furthermore, the study evaluates alternative frameworks such as post-modern portfolio theory (PMPT) and factor investing, offering promising avenues for enhancing portfolio resilience and risk-adjusted returns. Overall, the research contributes to a deeper understanding of investment decision-making processes and informs stakeholders in the financial industry about effective strategies for navigating the dynamic landscape of the financial market.
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References
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- Aitken, M., & Frino, A. (2019). High-Frequency Trading. In The Handbook of Trading (pp. 49-72). Palgrave Macmillan.
- Ang, A. (2014). Factor investing and the efficiency of security markets. Financial Analysts Journal, 70(5), 10-15. https://doi.org/10.2469/faj.v70.n5.2
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- Gu, A. Y., Kelly, B., & Xiu, D. (2020). Empirical asset pricing via machine learning. Journal of Financial Economics, 136(1), 89-129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfineco.2019.08.013
- Jones, B., Smith, A., & Brown, C. (2022). Active versus passive investing: A comparative analysis. Journal of Portfolio Management, 41(2), 61-74. https://doi.org/10.3905/jpm.2022.1.195
- Jones, C. M., Lamont, O. A., & Lumsdaine, R. L. (2022). Integrated factor models and trading strategies. Journal of Financial Economics, 143(3), 803-832. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfineco.2021.08.012
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- Shaheen, S. (2022). Financial literacy and its impact on investment decisions. Journal of Economics and Business, 115, 105-118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeconbus.2021.105118
- Sharpe, W. (1994). The Sharpe ratio. Journal of Portfolio Management, 21(1), 49-58. https://doi.org/10.3905/jpm.1994.409391
- Sharpe, W. F. (1994). The Sharpe ratio. Journal of Portfolio Management, 21(1), 49-58. https://doi.org/10.3905/jpm.1994.409394
- Smith, C. W., Suchanek, G. L., & Williams, K. D. (2023). The information content of trading halts. Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, 58(1), 1-28. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022109022000782
- Tobin, J. (1958). Liquidity preference as behavior towards risk. The Review of Economic Studies, 25(2), 65-86. https://doi.org/10.2307/2295952
- Treynor, J. L. (1965). How to rate management of investment funds. Harvard Business Review, 43(1), 63-75.
- Zhou, Y. (2011). Liquidity measures and cost analysis in high-frequency trading environments. The Journal of Trading, 6(4), 25-37. https://doi.org/10.3905/jot.2011.6.4.025
References
Aitken, M., & Frino, A. (2019). High-frequency trading and flash crashes. Annual Review of Financial Economics, 11(1), 177-196. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-financial-110217-024612
Aitken, M., & Frino, A. (2019). High-Frequency Trading. In The Handbook of Trading (pp. 49-72). Palgrave Macmillan.
Ang, A. (2014). Factor investing and the efficiency of security markets. Financial Analysts Journal, 70(5), 10-15. https://doi.org/10.2469/faj.v70.n5.2
Baker, M., Bradley, B., & Wurgler, J. (2022). Benchmarks as limits to arbitrage: Understanding the role of information in security market efficiency. Quarterly Journal of Economics, 137(3), 1169-1212. https://doi.org/10.1093/qje/qjab037
Barberis, N., & Thaler, R. (2003). A survey of behavioral finance. Handbook of the Economics of Finance, 1, 1053-1128.
Biais, B., Bisière, C., & Spatt, C. (2023). The exchanges’ old boys club: High frequency traders and the equity market structure debate. Journal of Financial Economics, 142(3), 1012-1037. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfineco.2021.11.014
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Brogaard, J., Hagströmer, B., & Nordén, L. (2019). Trading fast and slow: Colocation and liquidity. Review of Financial Studies, 32(2), 687-719. https://doi.org/10.1093/rfs/hhz012
Chen, J., Goldstein, I., & Jiang, W. (2024). High-Frequency Trading Behavior and Its Impact on Market Quality: Evidence from the COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of Financial Economics, 141(1), 293-315. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfineco.2021.12.004
Clarke, R. G., De Silva, H., & Thorley, S. (2012). Minimum variance portfolios in the U.S. equity market. Journal of Portfolio Management, 38(1), 91-103. https://doi.org/10.3905/jpm.2012.38.1.091
Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2017). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (2018). The SAGE handbook of qualitative research (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Fama, E. F., & French, K. R. (2015). A five-factor asset pricing model. Journal of Financial Economics, 116(1), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfineco.2014.10.010
Goldstein, I. (2018). High-frequency trading: Taking the pulse of the market. Annual Review of Financial Economics, 10(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-financial-110217-022902
Gu, A. Y., Kelly, B., & Xiu, D. (2020). Empirical asset pricing via machine learning. Journal of Financial Economics, 136(1), 89-129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfineco.2019.08.013
Jones, B., Smith, A., & Brown, C. (2022). Active versus passive investing: A comparative analysis. Journal of Portfolio Management, 41(2), 61-74. https://doi.org/10.3905/jpm.2022.1.195
Jones, C. M., Lamont, O. A., & Lumsdaine, R. L. (2022). Integrated factor models and trading strategies. Journal of Financial Economics, 143(3), 803-832. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfineco.2021.08.012
Lo, A. W., Mamaysky, H., & Wang, J. (2019). Foundations of technical analysis: Computational algorithms, statistical inference, and empirical implementation. Journal of Finance, 74(4), 1705-1765. https://doi.org/10.1111/jofi.12782
Malkiel, B. (2015). Fundamental analysis. The Journal of Finance, 70(2), 49-78. https://doi.org/10.1111/jofi.12192
Mandes, R. (2016). Algorithmic trading: Opportunities and challenges. Journal of Trading, 11(3), 5-12. https://doi.org/10.3905/jot.2016.11.3.005
Menkveld, A. (2016). High-frequency trading and the new market makers. Journal of Financial Markets, 32, 47-73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.finmar.2016.01.004
Merton, R. C. (1973). An intertemporal capital asset pricing model. Econometrica, 41(5), 867-887. https://doi.org/10.2307/1913811
O'Hara, M. (2015). High-frequency market microstructure. Journal of Financial Economics, 116(2), 257-270. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfineco.2014.12.006
Principles for Responsible Investment. (2021). PRI Reporting Framework 2021. https://www.unpri.org/reporting-framework/pri-reporting-framework-2021/6359.article
Rom, B. M. (1991). A taxonomy of market anomalies: Evidence from stock returns. Journal of Economic Surveys, 5(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6419.1991.tb00068.x
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Report. (2022). Market Structure Data and Analysis. https://www.sec.gov/marketstructure/research
Shaheen, S. (2022). Financial literacy and its impact on investment decisions. Journal of Economics and Business, 115, 105-118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeconbus.2021.105118
Sharpe, W. (1994). The Sharpe ratio. Journal of Portfolio Management, 21(1), 49-58. https://doi.org/10.3905/jpm.1994.409391
Sharpe, W. F. (1994). The Sharpe ratio. Journal of Portfolio Management, 21(1), 49-58. https://doi.org/10.3905/jpm.1994.409394
Smith, C. W., Suchanek, G. L., & Williams, K. D. (2023). The information content of trading halts. Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, 58(1), 1-28. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022109022000782
Tobin, J. (1958). Liquidity preference as behavior towards risk. The Review of Economic Studies, 25(2), 65-86. https://doi.org/10.2307/2295952
Treynor, J. L. (1965). How to rate management of investment funds. Harvard Business Review, 43(1), 63-75.
Zhou, Y. (2011). Liquidity measures and cost analysis in high-frequency trading environments. The Journal of Trading, 6(4), 25-37. https://doi.org/10.3905/jot.2011.6.4.025