We examine how social networks shaped by high-speed rail connections influence investor
attention and market reactions to earnings announcements in China. Firms in high-centrality cities exhibit
stronger immediate and subsequent responses in investor attention, stock price, and trading volume to
earnings news. Further analysis shows that earnings-induced local attention predicts future attention
spillovers to intercity investors, amplifying both price and volume reactions after announcements. Overall,
these findings indicate that high-speed rail networks foster investor social networks that facilitate the
dissemination of firm news and help explain predictable patterns in investor behavior and market pricing.
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