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Exporting Uncertainty: The Impact of Brexit on Corporate America

Author

Listed:
  • Campello, Murillo
  • Cortes, Gustavo S.
  • d’Almeida, Fabrício
  • Kankanhalli, Gaurav

Abstract

We show that the 2016 Brexit Referendum had multifaceted consequences for corporate America, shaping employment, investment, divestitures, R&D, and savings. The unexpected vote outcome led U.S. firms to cut jobs and investment within U.S. 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. U.K.-exposed firms with less redeployable capital and high input-offshoring dependence cut investment the most. Data on the near universe of U.S. 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

  • Campello, Murillo & Cortes, Gustavo S. & d’Almeida, Fabrício & Kankanhalli, Gaurav, 2022. "Exporting Uncertainty: The Impact of Brexit on Corporate America," Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 57(8), pages 3178-3222, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jfinqa:v:57:y:2022:i:8:p:3178-3222_10
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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. Demir, Müge & Önder, Zeynep, 2025. "Financial connectivity in cross-border lending and crises: Role of financial and legislative integration," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    3. Hudson, Kerry & Morgan, Robert E., 2025. "Intellectual property protection and firm risk: How service transition and knowledge intensity mitigate the loss of strategic resources," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    4. Do, Hang & Duong, Kiet Tuan & Huynh, Luu Duc Toan & Vu, Nam T., 2025. "The Real effects of Brexit on labor demand: Evidence from firm-level data," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    5. Lin Du, 2025. "The Influence of Shared Auditor’s Gender and Partner Background on M&A Decision-Making Behavior," SAGE Open, , vol. 15(3), pages 21582440251, July.
    6. Michele Cascarano & Laura Sigalotti & Francesco Stradi, 2025. "EU views and household investments: evidence from the Brexit referendum," Temi di discussione (Economic working papers) 1504, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.
    7. He, Ye & Chen, Jilong & Fan, Shuxin & Zhang, Xiao, 2025. "Foreign market uncertainty and corporate investment: Evidence from China," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
    8. Peng, Ya & Zhang, Xueyong, 2024. "Economic policy uncertainty in OFDI host countries and the cross-section of stock returns," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    9. Schmitz, Emerson, 2019. "Essays on banking and international trade," Other publications TiSEM 74748bf6-7c16-4e08-a6a6-e, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    10. Emerson Erik Schmitz, 2019. "The impact of Brexit uncertainties on international trade : Evidence from Belgium," Working Paper Research 380, National Bank of Belgium.
    11. 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.
    12. Lu, Jiajun & Lv, Linying & Wang, Yizhong & Zhu, Yueteng, 2025. "The real effect of monetary policy under uncertainty: Evidence from the change in corporate financing purposes," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
    13. Makrychoriti, Panagiota & Pyrgiotakis, Emmanouil G., 2024. "Firm-level political risk and stock price crashes," Journal of Financial Stability, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).

    More about this item

    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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