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Is the Stock Market Just a Side Show? Evidence from a Structural Reform

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  • Murillo Campello
  • Rafael Perez Ribas
  • Yan Wang

Abstract

The 2005 split-share reform in China mandated the conversion of nontradable stocks into tradable status. This paper examines the effects of stock markets on corporate outcomes exploiting multiple institutional features of the Chinese conversion program. Using a generalized propensity score matching approach, we identify increases in corporate profitability, investment, value, and productivity as a result of the reform. We also identify changes in firms' likelihood to issue shares and engage in mergers, as well as changes in dividend and capital structure policies. Our findings provide insights on the role of stock markets in shaping corporate activity and on the impact of regulation on economic growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Murillo Campello & Rafael Perez Ribas & Yan Wang, 2014. "Is the Stock Market Just a Side Show? Evidence from a Structural Reform," NBER Working Papers 20121, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:20121
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    2. Fuxiu Jiang & Kenneth A Kim, 2020. "Corporate Governance in China: A Survey [The role of boards of directors in corporate governance: a conceptual framework and survey]," Review of Finance, European Finance Association, vol. 24(4), pages 733-772.
    3. Chen, Jiayuan & Gong, Di & Muckley, Cal, 2020. "Stock market illiquidity, bargaining power and the cost of borrowing," Journal of Empirical Finance, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 181-206.
    4. Xiao, Gang, 2015. "Trading and earnings management: Evidence from China's non-tradable share reform," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 31(C), pages 67-90.
    5. Fang, Hongyan & Song, Zhihui & Nofsinger, John R. & Wang, Yuyue, 2017. "Trading restrictions and firm dividends: The share lockup expiration experience in China," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 83-98.
    6. Liu, Qigui & Tian, Gary, 2012. "Controlling shareholder, expropriations and firm's leverage decision: Evidence from Chinese Non-tradable share reform," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 18(4), pages 782-803.
    7. Zhe Peng & Kainan Xiong & Yahui Yang, 2024. "Segmentation of the Chinese stock market: A review," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(4), pages 1156-1198, September.
    8. Michaely, Roni & Qian, Meijun, 2022. "Does stock market liquidity affect dividends?," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    9. Ole-Kristian Hope & Han Wu & Wuyang Zhao, 2017. "Blockholder exit threats in the presence of private benefits of control," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 22(2), pages 873-902, June.
    10. Cheung, William Ming Yan & Im, Hyun Joong & Selvam, Srinivasan, 2023. "Stock liquidity and investment efficiency: Evidence from the split-share structure reform in China," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 56(C).
    11. Bing Xu, 2017. "Permissible collateral and access to finance: evidence from a quasi-natural experiment," Working Papers 1750, Banco de España.
    12. Bing Xu, 2017. "Permissible collateral and access to finance: evidence from a quasi-natural experiment," Working Papers 1750, Banco de España.
    13. Stephen J. Terry, 2023. "The Macro Impact of Short‐Termism," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 91(5), pages 1881-1912, September.
    14. Liang Guo & Ya Dai & Donald Lien, 2016. "The effects of China’s split-share reform on firms’ capital structure choice," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 48(27), pages 2530-2549, June.
    15. Xu, Bing, 2018. "Permissible collateral and access to finance: Evidence from a quasi-natural experiment," BOFIT Discussion Papers 3/2018, Bank of Finland Institute for Emerging Economies (BOFIT).
    16. Huang, Bingbing & Zhang, Xuehui & Bi, Qian, 2022. "The nonlinear effect of shareholder ownership structure on a firm's cash holdings: Type I and Type II agency problem perspectives in China's split-share reform," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 493-504.
    17. Ping Jiang & Xinjian Shao & Yi Xue, 2018. "Political Pressure or Rent Seeking? The Role of Mutual Funds in China's Split Share Structure Reform," Australian Economic Papers, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 57(3), pages 284-308, September.
    18. Mengyin Li & Phillip H. Phan & Xian Sun, 2021. "Business Friendliness: A Double-Edged Sword," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-22, February.
    19. Xu, Bing, 2019. "Permissible collateral and access to finance: Evidence from a quasi-natural experiment," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 237-255.
    20. Ma, Ming & Sun, Xian & Waisman, Maya & Zhu, Yun, 2016. "State ownership and market liberalization: Evidence from China's domestic M&A market," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 205-223.
    21. Li, Tianshi & Yang, Tina & Zhu, Jigao, 2022. "Directors’ and officers’ liability insurance: Evidence from independent directors’ voting," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    22. repec:zbw:bofitp:2018_003 is not listed on IDEAS
    23. Shahab, Yasir & Wang, Chong-xiao & Yeung, P. Eric & Zhou, Jia-nan, 2024. "The National Team: Stock market interventions and corporate catering behavior," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    24. Mu-Shun Wang, 2022. "Shareholder Disputes and Commonality in Liquidity: Evidence from the Equity Markets in China," Asia-Pacific Financial Markets, Springer;Japanese Association of Financial Economics and Engineering, vol. 29(2), pages 291-325, June.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models
    • D22 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis
    • F30 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - General
    • G31 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Capital Budgeting; Fixed Investment and Inventory Studies
    • O16 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Financial Markets; Saving and Capital Investment; Corporate Finance and Governance

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