Stock liquidity and stock return : an asymmetric impact of institutional ownership approach

Purpose: This study is primarily aimed at investigating the asymmetric impact of institutional ownership on the relationship between stock liquidity and stock return. It was conducted by testing the hypotheses regarding efficient monitoring and adverse selection from Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE). Design/methodology/approach: Using a panel smooth transition regression model and selecting 183 firms for the period from 2009 to 2019 from TSE, this study examined the data to explore the asymmetric impact of institutional ownership on the relationship between stock liquidity and stock return. Findings: The results show a positive impact by institutional ownership on the relationship between stock liquidity and stock return in the first regime (threshold level 39%), whereas in the second regime, there is a negative impact by institutional ownership on the relationship between stock liquidity and stock return. Furthermore, the firms were divided into two groups based on the market value. The first group includes those with a market share less than the mean total market value of the sample. The second group includes firms with a market share higher than the mean total market value of the sample (large firms). The results illustrate that the threshold level is 32% and 44% for the first and second groups, respectively. Originality/value: The findings of this study suggest that institutional ownership theories require closer inquiry.