Statistical Properties of Real Financial Markets and Virtual Prognosis Markets

The book conducts a brief comparison of selected statistical properties that can be observed in financial markets worldwide with data generated in virtual market settings like political stock markets (PSM) or football markets. After introducing basic mechanisms in financial as well as virtual markets, an overview of selected statistical features that can be observed in finacial market data is presented and discussed in the light of current scientific research. Based on these properties statistical comparisons between data in real financial marktes and the virtual prognosis markets are conducted. Examining the reproducability of certain statistical features in controlled and well observable environments, as virtual markets normally are, this book tries to make a contribution to a better understanding of the mechanisms in financial marketplaces.