Investigation of investor sentiment through confidence and expectation indices: a behavioral approach

Abstract

In this study, the effect of confidence and expectation indices, which are the factors of investor sentiment, on investment decisions was investigated. In the sample, United States was chosen as an example of a developed country and Turkey was chosen as an example of a developing country. The effects of independent variables on investment instruments were examined with multiple linear regression models, and then generalized autoregressive conditional variance models were created for volatility estimates. Stock index returns (BIST100 and S&P500) and the changes in the total deposit amount in the local currencies of both countries were used as dependent variables. As independent variables, the Consumer Confidence Index, Economic Confidence Index, General Confidence Index and VIX Volatility Index were included for both countries in analyses. The monthly frequency dataset between December 2012 - April 2022 was included. As a result of the regression models, it has been observed that the independent variables generally affect the investments in both countries. As a result of the volatility models, while the independent variables did not have an effect on the investments made in the BIST100 index, it was observed that the variables related to expectations and confidence had a significant effect on the other three investment instruments.