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The Reaction of Stock Market Returns to Unemployment

Gonzalo, J.; Taamouti, A.

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Authors

J. Gonzalo



Abstract

We empirically investigate the short-run impact of anticipated and unanticipated unemployment rates on stock prices. We particularly examine the nonlinearity in the stock market’s reaction to the unemployment rate and study the effect at each individual point (quantile) of the stock return distribution. Using nonparametric Granger causality and quantile regression-based tests, we find that only anticipated unemployment rate has a strong impact on stock prices. Quantile regression analysis shows that the causal effects of anticipated unemployment rate on stock returns are usually heterogeneous across quantiles. For the quantile range 0.35, 0.80, an increase in the anticipated unemployment rate leads to an increase in stock market prices. For other quantiles, the impact is generally statistically insignificant. Thus, an increase in the anticipated unemployment rate is, in general, good news for stock prices. Finally, we offer a reasonable explanation for the reason, and manner in which, the unemployment rate affects stock market prices. Using the Fisher and Phillips curve equations, we show that a high unemployment rate is followed by monetary policy action of the Federal Reserve (Fed). When the unemployment rate is high, the Fed decreases the interest rate, which in turn increases the stock market prices.

Citation

Gonzalo, J., & Taamouti, A. (2017). The Reaction of Stock Market Returns to Unemployment. Studies in Nonlinear Dynamics & Econometrics, 21(4), Article 20150078. https://doi.org/10.1515/snde-2015-0078

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Mar 19, 2017
Online Publication Date Jun 23, 2017
Publication Date Sep 1, 2017
Deposit Date Mar 21, 2017
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Studies in Nonlinear Dynamics and Econometrics
Print ISSN 1081-1826
Publisher De Gruyter
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 21
Issue 4
Article Number 20150078
DOI https://doi.org/10.1515/snde-2015-0078
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1390423

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Copyright Statement
The final publication is available at www.degruyter.com





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