International Financial Integration and Stock Market in Developing Countries

Objective - This study examines the relation between stock market capitalization and international financial integration for 23 developing countries during 1996 - 2018. Methodology/Technique - By using recently developed econometric panel techniques. The present paper takes into consideration cross section and structural breaks. Findings - Our findings show several interesting results. First, the existence of a long run relationship between the stock market and financial integration, particularly when private capital flows are included. Second, with the presence of structural breaks the result shows that international financial integration has a negative impact on stock market, which means that financial integration loses its explanatory power over the crisis period. Novelty - There is no applied study on the verification of the volatility of international capital flows (foreign direct investments and remittances) in the analysis of the relationship between international financial integration and stock markets. Type of Paper - Empirical Keywords: Cointegration, Cross-Section, International Financial Integration, Panel Unit Root, Structural Breaks, Stock Market. JEL Classification: C23, C51, C58, F02, F21, F24, G01.

How Does International Financial Integration Really Affect Post-Transition Countries' Growth? Empirical evidence from the CEE-10 countries

This paper seeks to empirically explore how an international financial integration influences a country’s GDP growth. The long run relationship is tested by PMG estimator for the sample of ten EU countries from Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe (CEE-10 countries) between 1995 and 2017. Prior to the conducting of dynamic panel analysis based on PMG estimators, several panel unit root tests were conducted, as well as panel co integration tests. The findings offer mixed impact financial integration on growth. Among the measures of financial integration, growth of the CEE-10 countries is mostly driven in the long run by FDI inflows as well as remittances and financial openness. On the contrary, the study suggests a reversal relationship between growth and financial integration measured by Gross Foreign Assets and Liabilities in percentages of GDP. It might be explained with a fact that CEE-10 countries have not yet reached a certain level of financial development in order to benefit from financial integration. The study concludes that international financial integration does not per se enhance economic growth and country’s growth in the CEE-10 countries can be reached at a higher level of financial integration, further increase their financial openness and financial development.

The Effects of Intellectual Property on Financial Integration in the European Union and Moldova Republic

In order to encourage creative work and prevent possible abuses, the field of intellectual property must be well regulated; from a legislative point of view. This present era which is characterized by continuous technological progress is experiencing a boost in relevance of intellectual property; thereby becoming one of the key elements of industries. This has made players of markets to become aware of the need to ensure protection of intellectual property rights. Hence, financial integration is a key element which can be affected by intellectual property and the innovation process involved. This paper analyses the correlation between international financial integration and intellectual property. Also, the analysis focuses on European Union (EU) member countries and Moldova in assessing the effects of intellectual property and international financial integration. Fixed-effect panel estimation and the ordinary least squares model are used in the analysis. The analysis has been conducted over the last two decades to see the differences that intellectual property has had over financial integration over periods of time that have had extremely different economic oscillations. The results of this research provide an update on the analysis effects of intellectual property on international financial integration and it shows a negative relationship between them. Hence, this depicts that when intellectual property is carefully considered by firms and governmental institutions, it can be a major source of revenue for the stakeholders and the economy at large.

Financial integration and macroeconomic volatility in Zimbabwe

PurposeMany developing countries are pursuing policies that foster international financial integration after decades of financial repression. Greater access to foreign financial markets may have both positive and negative impact on the performance of the economy. One of the concerns of international financial integration is macroeconomic volatility which may affect both monetary and real sectors. Zimbabwe has chosen to pursue a financial liberalization strategy in the form of imperfect financial integration following periods of excessive domestic shocks. An upsurge of capital flows since the epic of economic crisis in the 2000s has been observed with varying macroeconomic impacts. This study empirically examines the impact of partial international financial integration on the volatility of macroeconomic variables.Design/methodology/approachThe study utilized an ARDL Model suggested by Pesaran et al., (2003) which is appropriate for short time periods.FindingsThe results show that financial integration has a negative effect on output volatility while insignificant on consumption volatility.Practical implicationsThe study recommends that the country should gradually liberalize the capital account and properly sequence financial development reforms in order to minimize losses from global financial integration.Originality/valueThe study used time series for Zimbabwe during a period of external imbalance, repeated economic cycles, sudden stops in capital flows and limited scope of imperfect financial integration. Findings in such an economy will be a referral for policymakers in other economies that would want to pursue international financial integration.

Are Determinants of International Financial Integration in the European Transition Countries Different from Post-Transition Countries?

The paper seeks to empirically explore the variations and changes in the degree of International Financial Integration (IFI) between the European Transition countries and Post-Transition countries between 2000 and 2016. The estimation of parameters was made using the Generalized Method of Moment (GMM) approach. The findings of the study reveal that European Post-Transition countries have relatively more developed financial systems compared to European Transition countries, where private credit market is still playing an overwhelmingly important role in a financial system while stock markets are in an early stage of development constituting a relatively small share of the financial system. Even though in Panel 3 there are significant control variables, our findings reveal that IFI in European transition countries are affected neither by stock market capitalization and private credit markets. Consequently, they can’t be used in this stage of financial development for explanation of variations and changes in the degree of IFI.

International Financial Integration through Depositary Receipts (DRs)

The issue of liquidity and underdevelopment of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) stock markets has caused problems to companies in those countries that seek higher equity capital. One way out of this problem is to employ international markets more intensively by seeking cheaper cost of capital through Depositary Receipts (DRs). Many studies on DRs focused on emerging and developed countries, leaving many OIC countries behind. Thus, this study investigates the financial implication by examining the integration of returns of local and foreign stock markets via American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) and Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs) of OIC countries. Techniques employed in this study are cointegration and the speed of adjustments to examine the existence of integration between the local and foreign stock markets. The study covers a sample of 146 firms from 17 OIC countries that are cross-listed as ADRs or GDRs from 1992 to 2011. The findings show mixed results when some markets provide evidence of integration while others show evidence of segmentation. The study on the integration between DR and home equity markets has practical implications for both the international as well as domestic investors especially on portfolio selection, asset pricing and risk management