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The COVID-19 Outbreak and Risk–Return Spillovers between Main and SME Stock Markets in the MENA Region

Author

Listed:
  • Nassar S. Al-Nassar

    (Department of Economics and Finance, College of Business and Economics, Qassim University, Buraydah 52571, Saudi Arabia)

  • Beljid Makram

    (Department of Economics and Finance, College of Business and Economics, Qassim University, Buraydah 52571, Saudi Arabia
    Department of Finance and Accounting, University of Tunis El Manar, B.P. 248, Tunis 2092, Tunisia)

Abstract

This study investigates return and asymmetric volatility spillovers and dynamic correlations between the main and small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) stock markets in Saudi Arabia and Egypt for the periods before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Return and volatility spillovers are modelled using a VAR-asymmetric BEKK–GARCH (1,1) model, while a VAR-asymmetric DCC–GARCH (1,1) model is employed to model the dynamic conditional correlations between these markets, which are then used to determine and explore portfolio design and hedging implications. The results show that while bidirectional return spillovers between the main and SME stock markets are limited to Saudi Arabia, shock and volatility spillovers have different characteristics and dynamics in both main–SME market pairs. In addition, the dynamic correlations between the main and SME markets are mostly positive and have notably increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in Saudi Arabia, suggesting that adding SME stocks to a main stock portfolio enhances its risk-adjusted return, especially during tranquil market phases. One practical implication of our results is that the development of SME stock markets can indirectly contribute to economic development via the main market channel and provide an avenue for portfolio diversification and risk management.

Suggested Citation

  • Nassar S. Al-Nassar & Beljid Makram, 2022. "The COVID-19 Outbreak and Risk–Return Spillovers between Main and SME Stock Markets in the MENA Region," IJFS, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-28, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijfss:v:10:y:2022:i:1:p:6-:d:717583
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Liu, Xueyong & An, Haizhong & Huang, Shupei & Wen, Shaobo, 2017. "The evolution of spillover effects between oil and stock markets across multi-scales using a wavelet-based GARCH–BEKK model," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 465(C), pages 374-383.
    2. Zhang, Wenting & Hamori, Shigeyuki, 2021. "Crude oil market and stock markets during the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence from the US, Japan, and Germany," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
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    Cited by:

    1. Akila Rubaiyath & Raad Mozib Lalon, 2022. "Investigating the Impact of Bank-specific Determinants on Stock Price of Listed Commercial Banks: Evidence from Emerging Economy," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 13(4), pages 134-142, July.

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