Stock market reaction to xenophobic violence in an emerging economy

Abstract

This paper presents an initial evaluation of possible effect of xenophobic violence on the Johannesburg Stock Market. Violence is inimical to economic development as it constraints normal business operations and causes a rebound on the stock market. The paper applied the event trend analysis combined with a statistical t-test of paired sample means in the pre and post-xenophobic period stock performance. Data was drawn from the JSE All Share Index - Capped Indices Performance (J303 - Capi DY) for 2008 and 2015, during & after the xenophobic violence of 2008 and 2015. The economic consequences of social instability were substantiated with related literature. The theoretical foundation was inclined on the integrated threat theory and the social contract theory. Findings from the analysis of paired sample t-test showed a significant difference in means of stock performance with P<0.05 within and after the xenophobic period. Furthermore, a t-test of similarity in stock performance chart for periods of xenophobic violence 2008 and 2015 showed no significant difference in stock performance trend – indicating similarity in stock chart between 2008 and 2015 periods of xenophobic violence. The paper recommends the need for further research of a broader scope that will consider many years of xenophobic events or similar violence across countries using multiple stock performance and economic performance indicators