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The Review of Corporate Finance Studies Vol. 9 No. 3 2020

Feverish Stock Price Reactions to COVID-19*

Stefano Ramelli1; Alexander F. Wagner2

1 University of Zurich · 2 University of Zürich, CEPR, ECGI, Swiss Finance Institute

open access

Abstract

Market reactions to the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) provide new insights into how real shocks and financial policies drive firm value. Initially, internationally oriented firms, especially those more exposed to trade with China, underperformed. As the virus spread to Europe and the United States, corporate debt and cash holdings emerged as important value drivers, relevant even after the Fed intervened in the bond market. The content and tone of conference calls mirror this development over time. Overall, the results illustrate how anticipated real effects from the health crisis, a rare disaster, were amplified through financial channels. (JEL G01, G12, G14, G32, F14) Received: May 27, 2020; editorial decision June 16, 2020 by Editor Andrew Ellul.

DOI
10.1093/rcfs/cfaa012
Volume
9
Issue
3
Pages
622-655
Language
en
Sources
openalex bibtex:phds-export.bib crossref

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