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Bank of Japan Equity Purchases: The (Non-)Effects of Extreme Quantitative Easing
[Whatever it takes: the real effects of unconventional monetary policy]

Author

Listed:
  • Ben Charoenwong
  • Randall Morck
  • Yupana Wiwattanakantang

Abstract

From January 2011 through March 2018, the Bank of Japan purchased equity index exchange-traded funds (ETFs) worth about 3.5% of GDP. Identification of the effect of central bank ETF purchases on stock valuations and corporate responses is via differently-weighted and changing stock indices. BOJ purchases lift valuations, increase share issuances, and increase total assets. On average, the latter increase is due to cash and short-term securities rather than capital investment. However, firms with worse corporate governance do increase capital investment. These findings suggest central bank equity purchases are a problematic tool for stimulating economic growth through high broad-based private-sector corporate investment.

Suggested Citation

  • Ben Charoenwong & Randall Morck & Yupana Wiwattanakantang, 2021. "Bank of Japan Equity Purchases: The (Non-)Effects of Extreme Quantitative Easing [Whatever it takes: the real effects of unconventional monetary policy]," Review of Finance, European Finance Association, vol. 25(3), pages 713-743.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:revfin:v:25:y:2021:i:3:p:713-743.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/rof/rfaa029
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Díaz, Juan D. & Hansen, Erwin, 2025. "Price effects of asset forced sales during massive pension funds withdrawals," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
    2. Sai, Masumi & Yamada, Kazuo, 2025. "Does passive ownership affect corporate governance? Evidence from the Bank of Japan’s ETF purchasing program," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 77(PB).
    3. Maciej Stefański, 2021. "Macroeconomic Effects of Quantitative Easing Using Mid-sized Bayesian Vector Autoregressions," KAE Working Papers 2021-068, Warsaw School of Economics, Collegium of Economic Analysis.
    4. Guo, Qi & Huang, Shao’an & Wang, Gaowang, 2024. "Stabilizing the financial markets through communication and informed trading," Journal of Financial Markets, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    5. Comerton-Forde, Carole & Marta, Thomas, 2025. "ETF effects: The role of primary versus secondary market activities," Journal of Financial Markets, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    6. Matteo Bonetti & Dirk Broeders & Damiaan Chen & Daniel Dimitrov, 2024. "Central Bank Capital and Shareholder Relationship," Working Papers 809, DNB.
    7. Katagiri, Mitsuru & Shino, Junnosuke & Takahashi, Koji, 2022. "The announcement effects of a change in the Bank of Japan’s ETF purchase program: An event study," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 50(C).
    8. Liu, Zechu & Nikitopoulos, Christina Sklibosios & Phua, Kenny & Wang, Jianxin, 2025. "Data-driven monetary policy: Evidence from the Bank of Japan’s equity purchase program," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    9. Katagiri, Mitsuru & Shino, Junnosuke & Takahashi, Koji, 2025. "Bank of Japan’s ETF purchase program and equity risk premium: A CAPM interpretation," Journal of Financial Markets, Elsevier, vol. 73(C).
    10. Guo, Qi & Huang, Shao'an & Wang, Gaowang, 2022. "Stabilizing the Financial Markets through Informed Trading," MPRA Paper 115470, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    11. El Kalak, Izidin & Leung, Woon Sau & Takahashi, Hidenori & Yamada, Kazuo, 2023. "The Bank of Japan's equity purchases and stock illiquidity," Journal of Financial Markets, Elsevier, vol. 63(C).
    12. Shirota, Toyoichiro, 2023. "State-dependent effects of the unconventional monetary policy in stock markets," Japan and the World Economy, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • G31 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Capital Budgeting; Fixed Investment and Inventory Studies
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance
    • E58 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Central Banks and Their Policies
    • E44 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Financial Markets and the Macroeconomy

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