The Weakening Index Effect

Abstract

The Index Effect has weakened significantly since 2011. The Index Effect is the phenomenon where stocks that are added to an index experience positive excess returns in the days before being officially added, while stocks that are removed from an index experience negative excess returns. The weakening of the Index Effect has been pronounced for large- and mid-cap stocks, though it still can be observed in many indexes with small-cap stocks. The article also examines the importance of several other aspects related to the Index Effect, including illiquidity and unscheduled rebalances. The weakening of the Index Effect has occurred concurrently with a substantial increase in passive investing. One potential explanation for the weakening is that the ETF market makers (e.g., authorized participants) trade on price disparities as soon as they occur, eliminating any sustained positive or negative price movements. If true, this would be evidence that ETF trading adds liquidity to the market.

TOPICS: Mutual fund performance, passive strategies, exchange-traded funds and applications

Key Findings

• • This article examines the Index Effect, in which stocks that are added to or dropped from an index experience positive/negative excess returns in the days immediately before they are officially added/dropped. The Index Effect has weakened significantly since 2011.

• • The Index Effect can still be found in indexes with small-cap stocks and those with notably illiquid names.

• • One potential explanation for the weakening of the Index Effect is that the ETF market makers trade on price disparities as soon as they occur, eliminating any sustained positive or negative price movements. If true, this would be evidence that ETF trading adds liquidity to the market.