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Firm executive political leanings, Washington, and stock market returns

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  • Alnahedh, Saad
  • Alhashel, Bader

Abstract

In this paper, we study the effects of political identity on firm market performance. Specifically, we investigate whether a shared political orientation between a firm's executives and Congress, or the President, affect the firm's stock performance. Using hand collected political contributions data from the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to identify an executive's political orientation, we find evidence that firms with executives' political orientations matching that of the President or the Senate are associated with higher excess and abnormal returns and outperform other firms. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that the market perceives political alignment positively.

Suggested Citation

  • Alnahedh, Saad & Alhashel, Bader, 2024. "Firm executive political leanings, Washington, and stock market returns," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 476-491.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:reveco:v:91:y:2024:i:c:p:476-491
    DOI: 10.1016/j.iref.2024.01.004
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Corporate culture; Corporate governance; Political orientation; Investment decisions; Empirical asset pricing; Market efficiency; Government policy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • G18 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance
    • G38 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Government Policy and Regulation

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