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The objective of the present study is to examine how domestic and foreign exchange traded funds (ETFs) tracking Indian equities affect the return correlations of their underlying constituents. Further, this study investigates how these effects vary between periods of turmoil and calmness in the financial markets.

The study is based on quarterly data for stocks comprising the CNX (CRISIL NSE Indices) Nifty 50 Index from 2009Q1 to 2019Q4. The data on holdings of 45 domestic and 196 foreign ETFs in the sample stocks were obtained from Thomson Reuters’ Eikon. The paper employs a panel-regression methodology with stock and time fixed effects and robust standard errors.

This study documents that irrespective of the market conditions, foreign ETFs, particularly those from Asia–Pacific and European regions tend to exacerbate co-movement. Conversely, domestic ETFs lower co-movement in stable markets but during periods of turbulence a jump in return correlations is observed.

The results have important implications for ETF investors as well as market regulators because an increase in co-movement would reduce the diversification benefits of ETFs, thereby nullifying the biggest advantage that ETFs have to offer.

The literature on the economic impact of ETFs is highly skewed with the majority of the studies focusing on developed markets. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first one to empirically examine the impact of ETFs on the return co-movement of an emerging market. Furthermore, the study is unique as the authors investigate how the effects of ETFs vary in turbulent and tranquil markets.

The purpose of this study is to ascertain how foreign and domestic Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) investing in Indian equities affect their return volatility and pricing efficiency. Further, we investigate how the difference in market timings affect the impact of ETFs on their constituents. Lastly, we examine how these effects vary during tranquil and turmoil periods in the ETF markets.

The study is based on quarterly data for stocks comprising the CNX Nifty 50 Index from 2009Q1 to 2019Q3. The data on holdings of 45 domestic and 196 foreign ETFs in the sample stocks were obtained from Thomson Reuters' Eikon. The paper employs a panel-regression methodology with stock and time fixed effects and robust standard errors.

Foreign ETFs from North America and the Asia Pacific largely have an adverse impact on stocks' return volatility. In times of turmoil, stocks with higher coverage of European, North American and Domestic funds are susceptible to volatility shocks emanating from these regions. European and Asia Pacific ETFs are associated with improved price discovery while North American funds impound a mean-reverting component in stock prices. However, in turbulent markets, both positive and negative impacts of ETFs on pricing efficiency coexist.

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study that examines the impact of domestic as well as foreign ETFs on the equities of an emerging market. Furthermore, the study is unique as we investigate how the effects of ETFs vary in turbulent and tranquil markets. Moreover, the paper examines the role of asynchronous market timings in determining the ETF impact. The paper adds to the growing literature on the unintended consequences of index-linked products.