IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/joecas/v21y2020ics1703494919300908.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Liberalization and asymmetric information flow dynamics in the Chinese equity markets

Author

Listed:
  • Alhaj-Yaseen, Yaseen S.
  • Barkoulas, John T.
  • Ouandlous, Arav

Abstract

In this study, we empirically analyze the dynamic feedback mechanism between the A- and B-markets in the Chinese stock exchanges in an attempt to offer insights into the evolution of the information environment and the subsequent behavior of the B-share discount following the liberalization of these markets in 2001–2002. More specifically, we examine price discovery, level of informed trading, and their relationship to firm-specific asymmetric information proxies in the A- and B-markets in both the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SHSE) and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SZSE) for the time periods before and after the liberalization events. Based on return spillovers between the A and B markets, we find that the A-market dominates the price discovery process in the pre-liberalization period but in the post-liberalization period the B-market becomes the prevailing source of information production and flow. Similarly, the level of informed trading captured by the volume-return spillover effects is higher in the A-market in the pre-liberalization period but it is the B-market that is dominated by informed traders in the post-liberalization period which explains, at least partially, the subsequent significant reduction in the B-share discount. Furthermore, the degree of firm-specific information asymmetry has a significant impact on return and volume-return spillovers only in the B-to-A direction in the post-liberalization period, suggesting that trading in the B-market was predominantly prompted by informational or speculative considerations during that period. The structural change in the information environment effectuated by the liberalization events in 2001–2002 is consistent with the asymmetric information hypothesis and has policy implications for improving informational market efficiency in the Chinese capital markets.

Suggested Citation

  • Alhaj-Yaseen, Yaseen S. & Barkoulas, John T. & Ouandlous, Arav, 2020. "Liberalization and asymmetric information flow dynamics in the Chinese equity markets," The Journal of Economic Asymmetries, Elsevier, vol. 21(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:joecas:v:21:y:2020:i:c:s1703494919300908
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jeca.2019.e00151
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1703494919300908
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.jeca.2019.e00151?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Doukas, John A. & Wang, Liu, 2013. "Information asymmetry, price discovery, and the Chinese B-share discount puzzle," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 21(1), pages 1116-1135.
    2. Andy C. W. Chui & Chuck C. Y. Kwok, 1998. "Cross-Autocorrelation Between A Shares And B Shares In The Chinese Stock Market," Journal of Financial Research, Southern Finance Association;Southwestern Finance Association, vol. 21(3), pages 333-353, September.
    3. Giannellis, Nikolaos & Papadopoulos, Athanasios P., 2016. "Intra-national and international spillovers between the real economy and the stock market: The case of China," The Journal of Economic Asymmetries, Elsevier, vol. 14(PA), pages 78-92.
    4. Lin, Chihuang H. & Shiu, Cheng-Yi, 2003. "Foreign ownership in the Taiwan stock market--an empirical analysis," Journal of Multinational Financial Management, Elsevier, vol. 13(1), pages 19-41, February.
    5. G. M. Chen & Bong‐Soo Lee & Oliver Rui, 2001. "Foreign Ownership Restrictions And Market Segmentation In China'S Stock Markets," Journal of Financial Research, Southern Finance Association;Southwestern Finance Association, vol. 24(1), pages 133-155, March.
    6. Brennan, Michael J & Cao, H Henry, 1997. "International Portfolio Investment Flows," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 52(5), pages 1851-1880, December.
    7. Jianping Mei & Jose A. Scheinkman & Wei Xiong, 2009. "Speculative Trading and Stock Prices: Evidence from Chinese A-B Share Premia," Annals of Economics and Finance, Society for AEF, vol. 10(2), pages 225-255, November.
    8. Amihud, Yakov & Mendelson, Haim, 1986. "Asset pricing and the bid-ask spread," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 17(2), pages 223-249, December.
    9. John Y. Campbell & Sanford J. Grossman & Jiang Wang, 1993. "Trading Volume and Serial Correlation in Stock Returns," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 108(4), pages 905-939.
    10. Chui, Andy C W & Kwok, Chuck C Y, 1998. "Cross-Autocorrelation between A Shares and B Shares in the Chinese Stock Market," Journal of Financial Research, Southern Finance Association;Southwestern Finance Association, vol. 21(3), pages 333-353, Fall.
    11. Bailey, Warren & Chung, Y. Peter & Kang, Jun-koo, 1999. "Foreign Ownership Restrictions and Equity Price Premiums: What Drives the Demand for Cross-Border Investments?," Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 34(4), pages 489-511, December.
    12. Chen, Shenglan & Lin, Bingxuan & Lu, Rui & Zhang, Ting, 2015. "Controlling shareholders’ incentives and executive pay-for-performance sensitivity: Evidence from the split share structure reform in China," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 147-160.
    13. John Fernald & John H. Rogers, 2002. "Puzzles In The Chinese Stock Market," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 84(3), pages 416-432, August.
    14. Liao, Li & Liu, Bibo & Wang, Hao, 2014. "China׳s secondary privatization: Perspectives from the Split-Share Structure Reform," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 113(3), pages 500-518.
    15. Chakravarty, Sugato & Sarkar, Asani & Wu, Lifan, 1998. "Information asymmetry, market segmentation and the pricing of cross-listed shares: theory and evidence from Chinese A and B shares," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 8(3-4), pages 325-356, December.
    16. Amihud, Yakov, 2002. "Illiquidity and stock returns: cross-section and time-series effects," Journal of Financial Markets, Elsevier, vol. 5(1), pages 31-56, January.
    17. Carl Bonham & Calla Wiemer, 2013. "Chinese saving dynamics: the impact of GDP growth and the dependent share," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 65(1), pages 173-196, January.
    18. Fama, Eugene F & MacBeth, James D, 1973. "Risk, Return, and Equilibrium: Empirical Tests," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 81(3), pages 607-636, May-June.
    19. Burton G. Malkiel, 2007. "The Efficiency of the Chinese Stock Markets: Some Unfinished Business on the Road to Economic Transformation," Working Papers 1031, Princeton University, Department of Economics, Center for Economic Policy Studies..
    20. Grinblatt, Mark & Keloharju, Matti, 2000. "The investment behavior and performance of various investor types: a study of Finland's unique data set," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 55(1), pages 43-67, January.
    21. Franklin Allen & Stephen Morris & Hyun Song Shin, 2006. "Beauty Contests and Iterated Expectations in Asset Markets," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 19(3), pages 719-752.
    22. Kalok Chan & Albert J. Menkveld & Zhishu Yang, 2008. "Information Asymmetry and Asset Prices: Evidence from the China Foreign Share Discount," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 63(1), pages 159-196, February.
    23. Levine, Ross & Schmukler, Sergio L., 2007. "Migration, spillovers, and trade diversion: The impact of internationalization on domestic stock market activity," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 31(6), pages 1595-1612, June.
    24. Guillermo Llorente & Roni Michaely & Gideon Saar & Jiang Wang, 2002. "Dynamic Volume-Return Relation of Individual Stocks," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 15(4), pages 1005-1047.
    25. Burton G. Malkiel, 2007. "The Efficiency of the Chinese Stock Markets: Some Unfinished Business on the Road to Economic Transformation," Working Papers 1031, Princeton University, Department of Economics, Center for Economic Policy Studies..
    26. Karpoff, Jonathan M., 1987. "The Relation between Price Changes and Trading Volume: A Survey," Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 22(1), pages 109-126, March.
    27. Ma, Xianghai, 1996. "Capital controls, market segmentation and stock prices: Evidence from the Chinese stock market," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 4(2-3), pages 219-239, July.
    28. Jose A. Scheinkman & Wei Xiong, 2003. "Overconfidence and Speculative Bubbles," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 111(6), pages 1183-1219, December.
    29. Chen, G M & Lee, Bong-Soo & Rui, Oliver, 2001. "Foreign Ownership Restrictions and Market Segmentation in China's Stock Markets," Journal of Financial Research, Southern Finance Association;Southwestern Finance Association, vol. 24(1), pages 133-155, Spring.
    30. René M. Stulz, 1999. "Golbalization, Corporate Finance, And The Cost Of Capital," Journal of Applied Corporate Finance, Morgan Stanley, vol. 12(3), pages 8-25, September.
    31. Gagnon, Louis & Karolyi, G. Andrew, 2009. "Information, Trading Volume, and International Stock Return Comovements: Evidence from Cross-Listed Stocks," Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 44(4), pages 953-986, August.
    32. Wang, Jiang, 1994. "A Model of Competitive Stock Trading Volume," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 102(1), pages 127-168, February.
    33. repec:pri:cepsud:154malkiel is not listed on IDEAS
    34. Sun, Qian & Tong, Wilson H. S., 2000. "The effect of market segmentation on stock prices: The China syndrome," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 24(12), pages 1875-1902, December.
    35. Lin, Kuan-Pin & Menkveld, Albert J. & Yang, Zhishu, 2009. "Chinese and world equity markets: A review of the volatilities and correlations in the first fifteen years," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 20(1), pages 29-45, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Dinh, Van & Le, Dao-Van & Duong, Duy & Pham, Dung, 2023. "Determinants affecting digital financial consumer protection: Evidence from 135 countries," The Journal of Economic Asymmetries, Elsevier, vol. 27(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Doukas, John A. & Wang, Liu, 2013. "Information asymmetry, price discovery, and the Chinese B-share discount puzzle," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 21(1), pages 1116-1135.
    2. Tong, Wilson H.S. & Yu, Wayne W., 2012. "A corporate governance explanation of the A-B share discount in China," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 31(2), pages 125-147.
    3. Jie Zhu, 2008. "Testing for Expected Return and Market Price of Risk in Chinese A-B Share Market: A Geometric Brownian Motion and Multivariate GARCH Model Approach," CREATES Research Papers 2008-15, Department of Economics and Business Economics, Aarhus University.
    4. Cheng, Xu & Kong, Dongmin & Wang, Junbo, 2021. "Political uncertainty and A-H share premium," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    5. Fung, Joseph K.W. & Girardin, Eric & Hua, Jian, 2022. "How does the exchange-rate regime affect dual-listed share price parity? Evidence from China’s A- and H-share markets," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 129(C).
    6. Yang, Ting & Lau, Sie Ting, 2005. "U.S. cross-listing and China's B-share discount," Journal of Multinational Financial Management, Elsevier, vol. 15(4-5), pages 334-353, October.
    7. Deng, Lu & Liao, Mingqing & Luo, Rui & Sun, Jianfei & Xu, Chen, 2021. "Does corporate social responsibility reduce share price premium? Evidence from China's A- and H-shares," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    8. Donald Lien & Chun-Da Chen, 2020. "B-share discount puzzle in China: a revisit of dual-share firms," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 14(5), pages 1047-1075, October.
    9. Jiao, Feng & Liu, Qingfu & Tse, Yiuman & Wang, Zhiqin, 2022. "Price disparity between Chinese A- and H-shares: Dividends, currency values, and the interest rate differential," Global Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 53(C).
    10. Zhu, Jie, 2009. "Testing for expected return and market price of risk in Chinese A and B share markets: A geometric Brownian motion and multivariate GARCH model approach," Mathematics and Computers in Simulation (MATCOM), Elsevier, vol. 79(8), pages 2633-2653.
    11. Jianping Mei & Jose Scheinkman & Wei Xiong, 2005. "Speculative Trading and Stock Prices: An Analysis of Chinese A-B Share Premia," Levine's Bibliography 122247000000000867, UCLA Department of Economics.
    12. Deng, Chao & Li, Shiyu & Hong, Yun, 2024. "When local and foreign investors meet the Chinese government's risk perception about COVID-19," Journal of Multinational Financial Management, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    13. Azzi, Sarah & Suchard, Jo-Ann, 2019. "Crouching tigers, hidden dragons: Private equity fund selection in China," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 236-253.
    14. Dayong Zhang & David Dickinson & Marco R. Barassi, 2006. "Structural Breaks, Cointegration and the B Share Discount in Chinese Stock Market," EcoMod2006 272100108, EcoMod.
    15. Bae, Sung C. & Li, Mingsheng & Shi, Jing, 2009. "Does the law of one price hold better under a flexible exchange rate system?," Journal of Multinational Financial Management, Elsevier, vol. 19(4), pages 306-322, October.
    16. Yaseen S. Alhaj-Yaseen & Eddery Lam & John T. Barkoulas, 2012. "Going public abroad: the dynamics of return spillovers in an atypical international cross listing case," Applied Financial Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(24), pages 2035-2046, December.
    17. Andy C W Chui & Avanidhar Subrahmanyam & Sheridan Titman, 2022. "Momentum, Reversals, and Investor Clientele [Illiquidity and stock returns: Cross-section and time-series effects]," Review of Finance, European Finance Association, vol. 26(2), pages 217-255.
    18. Zheng, Yao & Osmer, Eric & Zheng, Liancun, 2018. "The relative pricing of cross-listed securities: The case of Chinese A- and H-share," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 297-310.
    19. Darrat, Ali F. & Gilley, Otis & Wu, Yanhui & Zhong, Maosen, 2010. "On the Chinese B-share price discount puzzle: Some new evidence," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 63(8), pages 895-902, August.
    20. Cai, Weixing & Lee, Edward & Xu, Alice Liang & Zeng, Cheng (Colin), 2019. "Does corporate social responsibility disclosure reduce the information disadvantage of foreign investors?," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 12-29.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:joecas:v:21:y:2020:i:c:s1703494919300908. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/the-journal-of-economic-asymmetries/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.