Market capitalization

About: Market capitalization is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 3583 publications have been published within this topic receiving 77288 citations. The topic is also known as: market cap & market value.

Stock Market Development and Economic Growth: The Case of Selected African Countries

Abstract: This paper studies the effect of stock market development on economic growth in 14 African countries in a dynamic panel data modelling setting. Results largely show a positive relationship between stock market development and economic growth. Further analyses, based on the level of economic development and stock market capitalization, are also conducted. The results reveal that the positive influence of stock market development on economic growth is significant for countries classified as upper middle income economies. On the basis of market capitalization groupings, stock market developments play a significant role in growth only for moderately capitalized markets. The general trend in results shows that low income African countries and less developed stock markets need to grow more and develop their markets to elicit economic gains from stock markets.

The Investment Performance of UK “Ethical” Unit Trusts

Abstract: Examines the impact on investment returns of stated non‐financial criteria by utilizing information on UK “ethical” unit trusts. Over a limited period of observation there was weak evidence of some overperformance on a risk‐adjusted basis by “ethical” unit trusts. Suggests arguments that might intuitively explain overperformance or underperformance. There is clear evidence that the “ethical” trusts have UK investment portfolios more skewed towards companies with low market capitalization than the market as a whole. Associated with this, they tend to be invested in low dividend yield companies. The degree of international diversification varies and a suitable international benchmark may be needed to separate out any “ethical” effect.

Disclosure and corporate governance in developing countries: evidence from Ghana

Abstract: Purpose – Following previous studies the paper seeks to use disclosure scores to examine corporate governance practices of Ghanaian listed firms. The study is motivated by the dearth of literature on corporate governance practices in the developing world despite the increasing interests in the topic in both the developed and the developing world.Design/methodology/approach – The data for the analysis are gathered from 22 listed companies on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE representing 95 percent of the Ghanaian market capitalization). The paper also examines the extent to which factors such as ownership structure, dispersion of shareholding, firm size, and leverage influence disclosure practices.Findings – Consistent with findings reported in studies from other developing countries the study finds that the level of disclosure in Ghana is low. Furthermore, ownership structure, dispersion of shareholding, and firm size (measured as total assets and market capitalization) all have significant effect on disclos...

Systematic Elements in the Linkage of National Stock Market Indices

Abstract: PpT HE purpose of this paper is to investigate the systematic covariation between stock prices in developed countries. Covariation may reflect causation or it may indicate similar reactions to external stimuli. Causal relationships may be lasting or temporary and may accordingly result in sustained periods or in rather brief periods of covariation. For example, developments in the Canadian stock market are continuously influenced by those in the United States stock market. An example of the second type of causal covariation is the relationship between Japanese and United States stock prices in mid-1970. Because of a decline in United States stock prices at this time and the liquidity needs of large institutional investors in the United States, it was necessary for these investors to reduce their holdings of foreign assets.1 The reduction of their investment in Japanese equities resulted in an outflow of capital from Japan and stimulated a decline in Japanese equity prices. For markets outside the United States, the introduction of the Interest Equalization Tax by the United States in mid-1963 is an example of an external development that caused similar responses in several stock markets. This measure caused many stock indices to decline, especially those in Japan and Canada. To the extent that stock prices reflect domestic economic conditions and conditions are similar across countries, stock prices will show systematic covariation that is a result of developments external to the national stock markets. Covariation between stock prices in different countries is of interest to individual investors who wish to allocate their investment portfolios so as to maximize the rates of return on their portfolios for a given risk. The return on stock consists of the dividend paid on the stock and the change in the price of the stock. For most stocks the price is more variable than the dividend so that price movements account for a larger part of the change in the rate of return. Thus investors seeking effective portfolio diversification wish to determine the countries whose stock prices move together, those whose stock prices move in opposite directions, and those whose stock price movements are unrelated to one another. Covariation between stock prices in different countries is of interest to the forecaster and policy maker because stock movements affect domestic consumption and investment expenditures. The wealth of consumers is affected by changes in stock prices and changes in wealth affect consumption decisions. The mechanism through which stock price changes affect investment decisions is more complex, but the influence of these changes may still be significant. An economist is frequently interested in establishing the extent to which financial markets are integrated or the extent to which developments in one market are reflected in the developments in a second market. Measures of financial integration are traditionally based on the dispersion of interest rates between markets, with a smaller dispersion measure corresponding to a higher degree of integration.2 This study concentrates exclusively on the covariation between equity prices as a measure of integration since aggregate information on dividend payments is not available for most countries. In an attempt to measure the extent of covariation between national stock markets and to isolate and identify the patterns of linkage Received for publication June 28, 1972. Revision accepted for publication January 12, 19,73. * The views expressed in this paper are those of the author and not necessarily those of the International Monetary Fund. 1Legal constraints on the share of a United States institution's portfolio that may be invested in foreign assets may also have influenced the repatriation of portfolio capital. 2See R. N. Cooper, Towards an International Capital Market?, Center Discussion Paper number 68, Economic Growth Center, Yale University, July 1969. The question of the integration of national stock markets is briefly raised but is not pursued because price earnings ratios are not available in many countries.