Behavioral Finance teaches us that investors
are partially emotionally driven. This
study investigates whether, over an 11 year period, the Dutch
stock market has overreacted by reviewing the relevant
literature and studying the biases which trigger irrational behavior in
investors - overconfidence in their ability, optimism and wishful
thinking, and making judgments based
on stereotypical thinking. It describes
the hypothesis, outlines the methodology
and data and discusses the results.
In focusing on the Netherlands, this work adds a new dimension to similar research which has primarily concentrated on American and Asian markets.