This paper aims to investigate the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on major stock markets. Specifically, an event study analysis is executed to estimate the abnormal returns…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on major stock markets. Specifically, an event study analysis is executed to estimate the abnormal returns of selected stock indices from 15 countries to key events concerning the global pandemic.
Design/methodology/approach
Specifically, an event study analysis is executed to estimate the abnormal returns of selected stock indices from 15 countries to key events concerning the global pandemic. The study continues with a regression analysis that looks into cross-country variation of estimated abnormal returns by using country-specific characteristics as predictors.
Findings
The results indicate that stock markets of countries that have larger foreign direct investment exposure to China, higher democracy index, a higher number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and that accept a higher percentage of Chinese tourists are more prone to getting negatively affected by such a global health crisis. On the other hand, stock markets of countries with higher health expenditure, a higher level of preparedness for pandemics and higher gross domestic product per capita are likely to have less negative abnormal returns.
Originality/value
It is one of the first studies that focuses on determining the country-specific characteristics that influence the reaction of financial markets to a global health crisis that the world is experiencing today with the COVID-19 infectious disease. Investigating cross-country effects is very relevant and important today because countries and their relevant policymakers can take lessons and get better prepared for future pandemics only by recognizing the relevant points that are underlying and shape the response of the country’s economy to such a global health crisis.
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This paper aims to look at the effects of the closing call auction on market quality and behavior by using the natural experiment of its introduction at the Abu Dhabi Stock…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to look at the effects of the closing call auction on market quality and behavior by using the natural experiment of its introduction at the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange.
Design/methodology/approach
Current paper studies the effect of closing call auction on various market quality factors such as liquidity, bid-ask spreads, volatility and market efficiency. Liquidity is proxied by trading volume. Bid-ask spreads provide a measure for the cost of trading in the market. Volatility is measured by using Parkinson’s (1980) volatility as in Huang and Tsai (2008). Last but not least, efficiency will be obtained by estimating a relative return dispersion measure as in Huang and Tsai (2008).
Findings
The introduction of the closing call auction leads to a significant decrease in the trading volume toward the end of the continuous trading. At the same time, trading activity taking place during the call auction significantly increases. This implies a redistribution of liquidity. The implementation of the closing call auction also improves market quality by reducing market inefficiency in terms of firm-specific noise. The study also documents that there exists no significant change in the cost of trading and intraday volatility in the post-period following the adoption of closing call auction.
Originality/value
This current study is the first one looking at this topic for the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange. Specifically, this paper looks at the changes in trading volume, bid-ask spreads, intraday return volatility and market efficiency after the implementation of the closing call mechanism.