UNAIR NEWS “ Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) (UNAIR) hosted a guest lecture on Tuesday (March 11, 2025), titled “Social Media Perception and the Government Bond Market: An X-Based Analysis of UK Gilt Yields.” The session featured Professor Roman Matousek, a Financial Economics expert from Queen Mary University of London, with Dr. Martha Ranggi Primanthi, SE, MIDEC, PhD, from UNAIR™s Department of Economics, serving as moderator. During his presentation, Prof. Matousek examined how social media”particularly X (formerly Twitter)”influences investor decision-making and market trends.
Social media impact
Prof. Matousek highlighted that social media platforms like X enable investors to react to market developments in real time. By monitoring trends and insights from influential figures such as politicians, CEOs, and financial analysts, investors gauge market sentiment, which then drives investment decisions”particularly the choice between stocks and government bonds.
“Information circulating on social media, especially X, directly affects market behavior. When sentiment is positive, investors lean toward buying stocks. In contrast, negative sentiment prompts them to seek safer investments, such as government bonds, increasing demand and lowering bond yields,” he explained.
X™s role and risks in market fluctuations
Prof. Matousek also discussed the growing role of X in disseminating information from governments and central banks. However, he cautioned that the premature release of financial data or policy announcements on social media could lead to irrational investor reactions, causing temporary surges or drops in bond prices before market corrections occur.
Furthermore, he emphasized the risk of misinformation on X, warning that while the platform grants investors access to real-time insights, it also amplifies the spread of false or misleading information, which can trigger unnecessary market volatility. “Market sentiment is shaped by the information that circulates online. However, if this information is not properly processed, it can be misleading and create unnecessary volatility,” Matousek noted.
To address these challenges, Prof. Matousek explored the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in analyzing market sentiment based on social media activity. “X generates an overwhelming amount of information, much of which remains unverified. To make sound investment decisions, investors must rely on advanced analytical tools that filter, assess, and integrate relevant data,” he stated.
He explained that AI-driven algorithms can process millions of posts, aggregate diverse insights, and generate more precise market assessments. By utilizing AI, investors can better interpret financial trends and reduce the risks associated with misinformation or reactionary trading.
Author: Rosa Maharani Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
