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Economic freedom and the stability of stock prices: A cross-country analysis

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  • Blau, Benjamin M.
  • Brough, Tyler J.
  • Thomas, Diana W.

Abstract

This paper investigates the link between economic freedom and the price stability of individual securities in a unique setting. Using a sample of 327 American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), we find an inverse relation between the economic freedom of a ADRs' home country and the price volatility of the ADR. This negative correlation is driven primarily by certain components of economic freedom, such as property right protection, the soundness of the money, and the level of free trade in the home country. Further, we find evidence that less regulation and less government control of markets in the home country leads to more stable ADR prices.

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  • Blau, Benjamin M. & Brough, Tyler J. & Thomas, Diana W., 2014. "Economic freedom and the stability of stock prices: A cross-country analysis," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 182-196.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jimfin:v:41:y:2014:i:c:p:182-196
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jimonfin.2013.12.001
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    Cited by:

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    6. Chen, Mei-Ping & Lee, Chien-Chiang & Hsu, Yi-Chung, 2017. "Investor sentiment and country exchange traded funds: Does economic freedom matter?," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 285-299.
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    15. Aharon, David Y. & Baig, Ahmed S. & DeLisle, R. Jared, 2022. "The impact of government interventions on cross-listed securities: Evidence from the COVID-19 pandemic," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 46(PA).
    16. Baig, Ahmed S. & Blau, Benjamin M. & Sabah, Nasim, 2021. "Free trade and the efficiency of financial markets," Global Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 48(C).
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    19. Baig, Ahmed S. & Butt, Hassan Anjum & Haroon, Omair & Rizvi, Syed Aun R., 2021. "Deaths, panic, lockdowns and US equity markets: The case of COVID-19 pandemic," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 38(C).
    20. Grossmann, Axel & Ngo, Thanh, 2022. "Cross-country cultural and economic freedom influences on the relationship between economic policy uncertainty and ADR mispricing," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 62(C).
    21. Iona, Alfonsina & Leonida, Leone & Limosani, Michele & Maimone Ansaldo Patti, Dario & Navarra, Pietro, 2024. "Does economic liberalization foster corporate investment? Theory and evidence from US and Canadian firms," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    22. Beckmann, Klaus S. & Ngo, Thanh & Wang, Daphne, 2015. "The informational content of ADR mispricing," Journal of Multinational Financial Management, Elsevier, vol. 32, pages 1-14.
    23. Tibi Didier Zoungrana & Daouda Lawa tan Toé & Mamadou Toé, 2023. "Covid‐19 outbreak and stocks return on the West African Economic and Monetary Union's stock market: An empirical analysis of the relationship through the event study approach," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(2), pages 1404-1422, April.
    24. Atangana Ondoa Henri & Seabrook Arthur Mveng, 2024. "Economic Freedom and Productivity in Africa," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(1), pages 3039-3058, March.

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