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Exporting Uncertainty: The Impact of Brexit on Corporate America

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  • Murillo Campello
  • Gustavo S. Cortes
  • Fabricio d'Almeida
  • Gaurav Kankanhalli

Abstract

We show that the 2016 Brexit Referendum had multi-faceted consequences for corporate America, shaping employment, investment, divestitures, R&D, and savings. The unexpected vote outcome led US firms to cut jobs and investment within US borders. Using establishment-level data, we document that these effects were modulated by the reversibility of capital and labor. American-based job destruction was particularly pronounced in industries with less skilled and more unionized workers. UK-exposed firms with less redeployable capital and high input-offshoring dependence cut investment the most. Data on the near-universe of US establishments also point to measurable, negative effects on establishment turnover (openings and closings). Our results demonstrate how foreign-born political uncertainty is transmitted across international borders, shaping domestic capital formation and labor allocation.

Suggested Citation

  • Murillo Campello & Gustavo S. Cortes & Fabricio d'Almeida & Gaurav Kankanhalli, 2020. "Exporting Uncertainty: The Impact of Brexit on Corporate America," NBER Working Papers 26714, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:26714
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    Cited by:

    1. Doriana Cucinelli & Vincenzo Farina & Paola Schwizer & Maria Gaia Soana, 2021. "Better the Devil You Know: The Impact of Brexit Political Uncertainty on European Financial Markets," International Journal of Business and Management, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 15(6), pages 1-62, July.
    2. Paul Cousins & Marie Dutordoir & Benn Lawson & João Quariguasi Frota Neto, 2020. "Shareholder Wealth Effects of Modern Slavery Regulation," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 66(11), pages 5265-5289, November.
    3. Schmitz, Emerson, 2019. "Essays on banking and international trade," Other publications TiSEM 74748bf6-7c16-4e08-a6a6-e, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    4. Emerson Erik Schmitz, 2019. "The impact of Brexit uncertainties on international trade : Evidence from Belgium," Working Paper Research 380, National Bank of Belgium.

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    JEL classification:

    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • G15 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - International Financial Markets
    • G31 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Capital Budgeting; Fixed Investment and Inventory Studies

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