Political uncertainty and stock market liquidity, size, and transaction cost: The role of institutional quality

Kwabi, Frank Obenpong; Adegbite, Emmanuel; Ezeani, Ernest; Wonu, Chizindu; Mumbi, Henry

Abstract

Using panel data of 42 countries from 2001 to 2019, we examine whether political uncertainty (caused by uncertainty about national elections) explains variations in cross-country liquidity, market size, and transaction cost. We also investigate whether institutional quality moderates the negative effects of political uncertainty on stock market development. We show that political uncertainty reduces stock market size, liquidity, and increases transaction costs. Our results indicate that institutional quality moderates the negative effects of political uncertainty on stock market development. However, we find no effects in emerging markets arising from the high prevalence of weak institutions. We confirm the robustness of our findings using alternative financial development measures and endogeneity. This study enhances our understanding of the salient role of political uncertainty in the development of the stock market, with important implications for market regulators, corporations, and investors.

Citation

Kwabi, F. . O., Adegbite, E., Ezeani, E., Wonu, C., & Mumbi, H. (2024). Political uncertainty and stock market liquidity, size, and transaction cost: The role of institutional quality. International Journal of Finance and Economics, 29(2), 2030-2048. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijfe.2760

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 17, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Jan 9, 2023
• Publication Date: 2024-04
• Deposit Date: Dec 21, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 10, 2025
• Journal: International Journal of Finance and Economics
• Print ISSN: 1076-9307
• Electronic ISSN: 1099-1158
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 29
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 2030-2048
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ijfe.2760
• Keywords: Institutional quality; political uncertainty; stock market development
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/15166242
• Publisher URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ijfe.2760