Return reversal in UK shares (Arnold / Baker):
We observe systematic long-term reversal of share returns for companies listed on the London Stock Exchange over the period 1960-2002. Loser shares (the worst performing shares in the prior five years) out-perform winner shares (the best performing shares over the prior five years) by about 14% per year. By separating the firm size effect from the return reversal effect we show the presence of both. This evidence is in direct contradiction to Clare and Thomas (1995), who found no return reversal following an adjustment for size. Return reversal is a feature of large as well as small companies. A seven-part consideration of risk does not substantiate the argument that loser out-performance is compensation for risk.
We observe systematic long-term reversal of share returns for companies listed on the London Stock Exchange over the period 1960-2002. Loser shares (the worst performing shares in the prior five years) out-perform winner shares (the best performing shares over the prior five years) by about 14% per year. By separating the firm size effect from the return reversal effect we show the presence of both. This evidence is in direct contradiction to Clare and Thomas (1995), who found no return reversal following an adjustment for size. Return reversal is a feature of large as well as small companies. A seven-part consideration of risk does not substantiate the argument that loser out-performance is compensation for risk.

