Predicting the sensitivity of trading intensity to investor sentiments and beliefs: Evidence from the French stock market

In this study we show that investor sentiment plays a key role in explaining trading intensity and market trend changes. Based on both econometric and fuzzy logic approaches, the empirical findings demonstrate that pessimistic sentiment has a particularly significant impact on the French financial market trend. Moreover, the results suggest that the impact of pessimism on asset returns exceeds that of optimism as a direct indicator of investor’s beliefs. Indirect indicators of agent sentiment present more smoothed effects on these two market components. Our results indicate that incorporating psychological factors in macro-financial models leads to better supervision and control of the main drivers of the markets.