Statistical Distribution of Stock Returns Runs

Summary

In this paper, we focus on the statistical features of runs which is defined as a sequence of consecutive gain/loss (rise/fall) stock returns. By studying daily data of the Dow Jones industrial average (DJIA), we get the following points: firstly, the distribution of the length and magnitude of stock return runs both follow an exponential law; and secondly, the positive runs and negative runs show a significant asymmetry in frequency distribution. We expect that the two properties may be new members in the family of stylized facts about stock returns.