Discussion paper

DP10601 Expected Skewness and Momentum

Motivated by the time-series insights of Daniel and Moskowitz (2014), we investigate the link between expected skewness and momentum in the cross-section. The three factor alpha of skewness-enhanced (-weakened) momentum strategies is about twice (half) as large as the traditional momentum alpha. In fact, skewness is among the most important cross-sectional determinants of momentum. Our findings do not neatly fit within a specific prominent theory of momentum. Due to the simplicity of the approach, its economic magnitude, and its existence among large stocks and in the recent past, the results appear difficult to reconcile with the efficient market hypothesis.

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Citation

Weber, M and H Jacobs (2015), ‘DP10601 Expected Skewness and Momentum‘, CEPR Discussion Paper No. 10601. CEPR Press, Paris & London. https://cepr.org/publications/dp10601