Working Paper: CEPR ID: DP7738
Authors: Denis Gromb; Dimitri Vayanos
Abstract: We survey theoretical developments in the literature on the limits of arbitrage. This literature investigates how costs faced by arbitrageurs can prevent them from eliminating mispricings and providing liquidity to other investors. Research in this area is currently evolving into a broader agenda emphasizing the role of financial institutions and agency frictions for asset prices. This research has the potential to explain so-called "market anomalies" and inform welfare and policy debates about asset markets. We begin with examples of demand shocks that generate mispricings, arguing that they can stem from behavioral or from institutional considerations. We next survey, and nest within a simple model, the following costs faced by arbitrageurs: (i) risk, both fundamental and non-fundamental, (ii) short-selling costs, (iii) leverage and margin constraints, and (iv) constraints on equity capital. We finally discuss implications for welfare and policy, and suggest directions for future research.
Keywords: financial constraints; financial institutions; limits of arbitrage; liquidity; market anomalies
JEL Codes: D6; D8; G1; G2
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| demand shocks (E39) | mispricings in asset markets (G19) |
| behavioral factors (D91) | demand shocks (E39) |
| institutional frictions (D02) | demand shocks (E39) |
| demand shocks (E39) | arbitrageurs' failure to correct mispricings effectively (D52) |
| arbitrageurs' constraints (G19) | mispricings (D46) |
| short-selling costs (G19) | arbitrageurs' failure to correct mispricings (D43) |
| leverage constraints (D20) | price volatility (G13) |
| institutional factors (D02) | price pressures (E31) |
| arbitrageurs' constraints (G19) | liquidity provision (E41) |