Laila El Adly

Abstract

The dissertation examines the effect of unexpected inflation on stock returns in the MENA region (Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Qatar, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Tunisia, and Saudi Arabia). Our sample covers the MENA region over the period 2005 – 2016. We examine the long run relation between unexpected inflation and stock returns using the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) and we model for the unexpected inflation using Autoregressive Moving Average (ARMA). Also, we capture the joint volatility dynamics between unexpected inflation and stock returns using the multivariate VECH-GARCH. The results reveal that there are variations depending on the country examined. Using Johansen (1995) trace test for co-integration, our results affirm the existence of long run relation between stock returns and unexpected inflation in Egypt and Jordan. As for the other countries, there are short-term dynamic linkages between the two variables in Kuwait, Morocco, Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia. For modelling the volatility of unexpected inflation and stock returns, we use the VECH-GARCH. The volatility results suggest that the news effect has a significant and positive impact on stock returns in Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Dubai, and Saudi Arabia. On the other hand, the memory effect of the volatility in stock returns is significant for all countries except Tunisia and Egypt.

Department

Management Department

Degree Name

MS in Finance

Graduation Date

6-1-2017

Submission Date

May 2017

First Advisor

Ahmed, Neveen

Committee Member 1

Bassiouny, Aliaa

Committee Member 2

Bouaddi, Mohammed

Extent

54 p.

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Rights

The author retains all rights with regard to copyright. The author certifies that written permission from the owner(s) of third-party copyrighted matter included in the thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study has been obtained. The author further certifies that IRB approval has been obtained for this thesis, or that IRB approval is not necessary for this thesis. Insofar as this thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study is an educational record as defined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 USC 1232g), the author has granted consent to disclosure of it to anyone who requests a copy.

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval

Approval has been obtained for this item

Comments

I am indebted to my supervisor Professor Neveen Ahmed for her advice and support on my dissertation at the American University in Cairo. Her continuous encouragement and valuable contributions have turned my thesis research into a fruitful journey filled with learning. I would also like to thank Professor Mohammad Bouaddi for his appreciated inputs which pushed me to dive in further into the research.

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