A Markov switching SVAR analysis on the relationship between exchange rate changes and stock returns in China

Purpose - This study investigates the spillover effects between exchange rate changes and stock returns in China. The authors find that no significant interconnections exist between stock returns and exchange rates changes. Design/methodology/approach - Although the conventional structural VAR (SVAR) approach fails to examine the contemporaneous effects, the Markov switching SVAR model captures the volatile structure of the Chinese financial market. The regime-switching estimates indicate that volatile structure tends to be significant during two financial crisis periods. Findings - Notwithstanding the fact that exchange rate changes cannot Granger-cause stock returns in the long run, its contemporaneous spillover effects on stock returns are found to be statistically significant. Originality/value - This study aims to shed light on the spillover effects between exchange rate changes and stock returns in China, as the Chinese currency is becoming flexible and China’s stock market has undertaken important reforms. The spillovers between the two markets are of topical importance due to the increasing connections between China and the global economy.