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Political preferences and stock markets

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  • Nguyen, Phuc Lam Thy
  • Alsakka, Rasha
  • Mantovan, Noemi

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to investigate the sensitivity of stock markets to election uncertainty and election shock. The analysis employs both fixed effect modelling approach and event study methodology, and utilizes a unique dataset of polling results measuring political preferences over 91 elections in EU countries. We show that election uncertainty induced by changes in political support significantly affects the volatility of stock markets in the pre-election period. Stock volatility also increases in post-election periods. We find that the difference between the outcome of the election and the expected one contributes to the magnitude of election shock, which influences stock markets. These suggest that the accuracy of pre-election polls can be used by market participants and academics as a proxy for market expectations. Our findings have also important implications for optimal investing strategies around elections and are of interest to fiscal policy makers and regulators of pollsters.

Suggested Citation

  • Nguyen, Phuc Lam Thy & Alsakka, Rasha & Mantovan, Noemi, 2023. "Political preferences and stock markets," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finana:v:90:y:2023:i:c:s105752192300426x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.irfa.2023.102910
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Stock markets; Stock volatility; Opinion poll; Election uncertainty;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • G15 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - International Financial Markets
    • G28 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Government Policy and Regulation

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