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Gold against Asian Stock Markets during the COVID-19 Outbreak

Author

Listed:
  • Imran Yousaf

    (Air University School of Management, Air University, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan)

  • Elie Bouri

    (Adnan Kassar School of Business, Lebanese American University, Beirut P.O. Box 13-5053, Lebanon)

  • Shoaib Ali

    (Air University School of Management, Air University, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan)

  • Nehme Azoury

    (USEK Business School, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Jounieh P.O. Box 446, Lebanon)

Abstract

This study examines the safe-haven and hedging roles of gold against thirteen Asian stock markets during the COVID-19 outbreak. During the COVID-19 sub-period, gold is shown to be a strong hedge (diversifier) for the majority (minority) of Asian stock markets; it exhibits the property of a strong safe-haven in China, Indonesia, Singapore, and Vietnam, and a weak safe-haven in Pakistan and Thailand. The optimal weights of all stock-gold portfolios are lower during the COVID-19 sub-period than the pre COVID-19 sub-period, suggesting that portfolio investors should increase their investment in gold during the COVID-19 sub-period. The hedging effectiveness for most Asian stock markets is higher during the COVID-19 sub-period. Further analyses show that the hedge portfolio returns in many cases are mostly driven by gold implied volatility and inflation expectations in both sub-periods. Our findings have useful implications for market participants holding investments in Asian stocks during stressful periods.

Suggested Citation

  • Imran Yousaf & Elie Bouri & Shoaib Ali & Nehme Azoury, 2021. "Gold against Asian Stock Markets during the COVID-19 Outbreak," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-23, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jjrfmx:v:14:y:2021:i:4:p:186-:d:539304
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    6. Hemant Manuj, 2021. "Is Gold a Hedge against Stock Price Risk in U.S. or Indian Markets?," Risks, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-14, September.
    7. Cui xiaozhong, & Yen-Ku, Kuo & Maneengam, Apichit & Cong, Phan The & Quynh, Nguyen Ngoc & Ageli, Mohammed Moosa & Wisetsri, Worakamol, 2022. "Covid-19 and oil and gold price volatilities: Evidence from China market," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    8. Marco Tronzano, 2022. "Optimal Portfolio Allocation between Global Stock Indexes and Safe Haven Assets: Gold versus the Swiss Franc (1999–2021)," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-24, May.
    9. Pedro Antonio González & José Luis Gallizo, 2021. "Impact of COVID-19 on the Stock Market by Industrial Sector in Chile: An Adverse Overreaction," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-24, November.
    10. Arfaoui, Nadia & Yousaf, Imran & Jareño, Francisco, 2023. "Return and volatility connectedness between gold and energy markets: Evidence from the pre- and post-COVID vaccination phases," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 617-634.
    11. Khan, Muhammad Asif & Khan, Farhad & Sharif, Arshian & Suleman, Muhammad Tahir, 2023. "Dynamic linkages between Islamic equity indices, oil prices, gold prices, and news-based uncertainty: New insights from partial and multiple wavelet coherence," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
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    13. Musumba Batondo & Josine Uwilingiye, 2022. "Comovement across BRICS and the US Stock Markets: A Multitime Scale Wavelet Analysis," IJFS, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-21, April.

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