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Journal of Financial Economics Vol. 125 No. 2 2017

The impacts of political uncertainty on asset prices: Evidence from the Bo scandal in China

Laura Xiaolei Liu1; Haibing Shu2; K. C. John Wei3

1 Peking University · 2 Shanghai Jiao Tong University · 3 Hong Kong Polytechnic University

open access

Abstract

Models of political risk predict that increases in political uncertainty cause stock prices to fall, especially for politically sensitive firms. We use the event of the Bo Xilai political scandal in 2012 in China as an exogenous shock to identify the impact of political uncertainty on asset prices. We document that the Bo scandal caused a significant drop in stock prices, especially for firms that are more politically sensitive. Further analysis shows that the stock price drop is mainly driven by a change in discount rate, providing strong support for the existence of priced political risk.

DOI
10.1016/j.jfineco.2017.05.011
Volume
125
Issue
2
Pages
286-310
Language
en
Sources
crossref bibtex:phds-export.bib openalex

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