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From pandemics to portfolios: Long-term impacts of the 2009 H1N1 outbreak on household investment choices

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  • Guo, Naijia
  • Leung, Charles Ka Yui
  • Zhang, Shumeng

Abstract

This study examines how experiencing a pandemic affects household investment behaviors. By leveraging cross-state variations in the H1N1 mortality rate in 2009, our difference-in-differences analysis reveals interesting findings. Although the pandemic does not significantly affect stock market participation, it depresses the proportion of liquid assets invested in risky assets among households who participate in the stock market. This effect persists for up to eight years after the pandemic and is particularly pronounced among households characterized by higher risk aversion and greater income volatility. Analysis conducted using different datasets consistently suggests that the pandemic primarily influences portfolio choices through a shift in risk attitudes.

Suggested Citation

  • Guo, Naijia & Leung, Charles Ka Yui & Zhang, Shumeng, 2025. "From pandemics to portfolios: Long-term impacts of the 2009 H1N1 outbreak on household investment choices," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 231(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:231:y:2025:i:c:s0167268125000514
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2025.106931
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Pandemic; Portfolio choice; Risky share; Risk attitude;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D10 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - General
    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General

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