Learning from GameStop: How Bandwagon Effect Influence Trading Decisions

person Raden Aswin Rahadi School of Business and Management, Bandung Institute of Technology
person Subiakto Sukarno School of Business and Management, Bandung Institute of Technology
person Rivary Finan Hernawan School of Business and Management, Bandung Institute of Technology
person Ade Iusticia Putra School of Business and Management, Bandung Institute of Technology
person Ertanto Vetra School of Business and Management, Bandung Institute of Technology
person Johan Anindito Indriawan School of Business and Management, Bandung Institute of Technology
person Nasrul Syahruddin School of Business and Management, Bandung Institute of Technology
subjectAbstract

This paper examines the short squeeze event of the GameStop stock in Q1 2021. While the GameStop event was not the sole example of the short squeeze phenomenon, there is a uniqueness in the event that it was orchestrated by individual investors (non-institutional) using online social media such as Reddit. Using fundamental analysis of the GME, we conclude several advantages and disadvantages, how to detect, and how to profit from short squeezes. Using the Dividend Discount Model and Free Cash Flow Model, it is also found that the GameStop stock is quite overvalued, which might be the reason for the increased number of short sells in GameStop’s stock. We also examine some of the possible causes of the occurrence of the short squeeze in a (rather likely) efficient market. Overall, this paper gives a comprehensive exposition of the phenomenon of short squeeze through this rather rare and unique GameStop event

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