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Can ESG Stocks Be a Safe Haven during Global Crises? Evidence from the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine War with Time-Frequency Wavelet Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Ioannis Katsampoxakis

    (Department of Statistics and Actuarial Financial Mathematics, University of the Aegean, 83200 Samos, Greece)

  • Stylianos Xanthopoulos

    (Department of Statistics and Actuarial Financial Mathematics, University of the Aegean, 83200 Samos, Greece)

  • Charalampos Basdekis

    (Department of Tourism Management, Hellenic Open University, 26335 Patras, Greece)

  • Apostolos G. Christopoulos

    (Department of Business Administration, University of the Aegean, 82132 Chios, Greece)

Abstract

In times of intense economic variability and social turbulence worldwide, this paper aims to examine the existence of transient correlations and interdependencies between the most important MSCI ESG indices worldwide and the most important commodities’ index, economic uncertainty, natural gas, gold, and VIX, in a geographical and social context during two recent crises: the COVID-19 pandemic and the energy crisis due to the Ukrainian war. Using daily data from 3 January 2020 and extending until 23 August 2022, this study applies a wavelet coherence approach to analyze time series co-movements, in order to emphasize all possible combinations’ correlations and achieve more accurate outcomes at any given time and frequency band simultaneously and spontaneously. The results show robust coherence between different geographical areas, time, and frequency bands, indicating both positive and negative correlations with most of the combined ESG indices and other economic indicators. The study suggests that stock indices of leading ESG companies in North America and Europe constitute a safe investment haven during major upheavals and crises, providing a way for investors to manage risk and generate positive returns while contributing to economic sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Ioannis Katsampoxakis & Stylianos Xanthopoulos & Charalampos Basdekis & Apostolos G. Christopoulos, 2024. "Can ESG Stocks Be a Safe Haven during Global Crises? Evidence from the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine War with Time-Frequency Wavelet Analysis," Economies, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-20, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jecomi:v:12:y:2024:i:4:p:89-:d:1374726
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Charalampos Basdekis & Apostolos G. Christopoulos & Ioannis Katsampoxakis & Stylianos Xanthopoulos, 2024. "Trends and Challenges after the Impact of COVID-19 and the Energy Crisis on Financial Markets," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-14, August.
    2. Man Jin, 2025. "Mechanism of Attracting Foreign Direct Investment from ESG Funds In The New Energy Vehicle Industry—Evidence from Chinese Corporations," SAGE Open, , vol. 15(4), pages 21582440251, October.
    3. Barbara Iannone & Pierdomenico Duttilo & Stefano Antonio Gattone, 2025. "Evaluating the resilience of ESG investments in European Markets during turmoil periods," Papers 2501.03269, arXiv.org.
    4. Boccaletti, Simone & Maranzano, Paolo & Morelli, Caterina & Ossola, Elisa, 2026. "ESG performance and stock market responses to geopolitical turmoil: evidence from the Russia-Ukraine war," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    5. Barbara Iannone & Pierdomenico Duttilo & Stefano Antonio Gattone, 2025. "Evaluating the Resilience of ESG Investments in European Markets During Turmoil Periods," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 32(4), pages 5006-5020, July.
    6. Simone Boccaletti & Paolo Maranzano & Caterina Morelli & Elisa Ossola, 2024. "ESG Performance and Stock Market Responses to Geopolitical Turmoil: evidence from the Russia-Ukraine War," Working Papers 544, University of Milano-Bicocca, Department of Economics.
    7. Liu, Min & Liu, Hongfei & Ping, Weiying, 2025. "Dynamic spillovers between Shanghai crude oil futures and China's green markets: Evidence from quantile-on-quantile connectedness approach," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 78-93.
    8. Supatgiat, Chonawee & Phiromswad, Piyachart & Sahin, Olgun Fuat & Sarajoti, Pattarake, 2025. "Investigating the impact of ESG ratings on ETF performance during market disruptions: Evidence from the COVID-19 pandemic and Russian (full-scale) invasion of Ukraine," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 77(PA).
    9. Parra-Domínguez, Javier & Dote-Pardo, Jairo, 2025. "Corporate sustainability and stock market dynamics: What challenges arise for future research?," Innovation and Green Development, Elsevier, vol. 4(5).

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