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An examination of the relationship between Australian industry equity returns and expected inflation

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  • Robert Faff
  • Richard Heaney

Abstract

This paper analyses the relationship between inflation and equity returns in Australia over the period January 1974 to March 1996. Analysis is based on monthly and quarterly data, using value weighted equity indices at both the aggregate market and industry level. Three price indices, the consumer price index (CPI) (quarterly) and the manufactured materials used index (MMU) and the manufacturing articles produced index (MAP) (both monthly and quarterly) are used to measure inflation. Results provide little evidence of the statistically significant negative relationship observed in the US for the full study period. Analysis is also conducted on three subperiods, 'monetary targeting' (July 1976-January 1985), 'checklist approach' (February 1985-December 1989) and anti-inflation (January 1990-March 1996). At the market level the anti-inflation subperiod does provide some evidence of a negative relationship between inflation and equity returns though statistical significance is not apparent with quarterly time series. The impact of expected inflation on industry returns varies considerably. Consistent with the overall market analysis, the incidence of negative expected inflation betas increases in the latter anti-inflation subperiod. Finally, changes in Government inflation policy appear to have greatest impact on industrial company expected inflation betas.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert Faff & Richard Heaney, 1999. "An examination of the relationship between Australian industry equity returns and expected inflation," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 31(8), pages 915-933.
  • Handle: RePEc:taf:applec:v:31:y:1999:i:8:p:915-933
    DOI: 10.1080/000368499323643
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    Cited by:

    1. Yao, Juan & Gao, Jiti & Alles, Lakshman, 2005. "Dynamic investigation into the predictability of Australian industrial stock returns: Using financial and economic information," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 13(2), pages 225-245, March.
    2. Shaikh Hamid & Tej Dhakar, 2008. "The behaviour of the US consumer price index 1913-2003: a study of seasonality in the monthly US CPI," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 40(13), pages 1637-1650.
    3. Yiwen (Paul) Dou & David R. Gallagher & David Schneider & Terry S. Walter, 2012. "Out-of-sample stock return predictability in Australia," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 37(3), pages 461-479, December.
    4. Jamie Alcock & Philip Gray, 2005. "Forecasting Stock Returns Using Model‐Selection Criteria," The Economic Record, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 81(253), pages 135-151, June.
    5. Yao, Juan & Alles, Lakshman, 2006. "Industry return predictability, timing and profitability," Journal of Multinational Financial Management, Elsevier, vol. 16(2), pages 122-141, April.
    6. Frank Browne & David Doran, 2005. "Do equity index industry groups improve forecasts of inflation and production? A US analysis," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 37(15), pages 1801-1812.
    7. Philip Gray, 2008. "Economic significance of predictability in Australian equities," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 48(5), pages 783-805, December.
    8. Jurdi, Doureige J., 2022. "Predicting the Australian equity risk premium," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).

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