The medium is the message: learning channels, financial literacy, and stock market participation

Cecilia Hermansson, Sara Jonsson (sara.jonsson@sbs.su.se) and Lu Liu (lu.liu@sbs.su.se)
Additional contact information
Sara Jonsson: Stockholm University, Postal: Stockholm Business School, Finance Section, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
Lu Liu: Stockholm University, Postal: Stockholm Business School, Finance Section, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden

No 21/1, Working Paper Series from Royal Institute of Technology, Department of Real Estate and Construction Management & Banking and Finance

Abstract: This paper investigates the effects of learning channels on stock market participation. More specifically, we investigate the direct effects of learning about financial matters from one’s private network, financial advisors, and the media, as well as the interactive effects of financial literacy and these learning channels. Analyzing a unique cross-section data that combine survey data and bank register data on retail investors, we find that media are the only learning channel that increases the likelihood of stock market participation. Interactions point to the joint importance of financial literacy and media as a learning channel for individuals’ stock market participation. Constructing theme–based literacy measures, we conclude that only financial knowledge related to investments in risky assets affects stock market participation. Our findings suggest implications to policymakers when designing financial education programs.

Keywords: stock market participation; learning channels; private network; financial advisors; media; financial literacy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D14 D83 G41 G51 G53 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 52 pages
Date: 2021-02-27, Revised 2021-06-28
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-fle
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Journal Article: The medium is the message: Learning channels, financial literacy, and stock market participation (2022)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hhs:kthrec:2021_001

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