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Political Uncertainty and Commodity Prices

Author

Listed:
  • Hou, Kewei

    (Ohio State University)

  • Tang, Ke

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Zhang, Bohui

    (Chinese University of Hong Kong)

Abstract

Using a comprehensive sample of 87 commodities, we examine the effect of political uncertainty on commodity prices. We show that political uncertainty surrounding U.S. presidential elections has a significant negative impact on commodity prices worldwide, likely due to shrinking demand before the elections. On average, commodity prices decline by 6.4% in the quarter leading up to U.S. elections. This effect holds true for gold, and is stronger for close elections and elections during recessions. On the other hand, political uncertainty in commodity producing countries with little demand pushes commodity prices up by 5.4% in the quarter before their national elections.

Suggested Citation

  • Hou, Kewei & Tang, Ke & Zhang, Bohui, 2017. "Political Uncertainty and Commodity Prices," Working Paper Series 2017-25, Ohio State University, Charles A. Dice Center for Research in Financial Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:ecl:ohidic:2017-25
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    Cited by:

    1. Su, Chi-Wei & Pang, Lidong & Umar, Muhammad & Lobonţ, Oana-Ramona & Moldovan, Nicoleta-Claudia, 2022. "Does gold's hedging uncertainty aura fade away?," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    2. Bouoiyour, Jamal & Selmi, Refk & Wohar, Mark E., 2018. "Measuring the response of gold prices to uncertainty: An analysis beyond the mean," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 105-116.
    3. Selmi, Refk & Mensi, Walid & Hammoudeh, Shawkat & Bouoiyour, Jamal, 2018. "Is Bitcoin a hedge, a safe haven or a diversifier for oil price movements? A comparison with gold," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 787-801.
    4. Liu, Yang & Han, Liyan & Xu, Yang, 2021. "The impact of geopolitical uncertainty on energy volatility," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    5. Hacioglu Hoke, Sinem, 2019. "Macroeconomic effects of political risk shocks," Bank of England working papers 841, Bank of England.
    6. Chi-Wei Su & Lidong Pang & Muhammad Umar & Oana-Ramona Lobonţ, 2022. "Will Gold Always Shine amid World Uncertainty?," Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 58(12), pages 3425-3438, September.
    7. Kim, Hyonok & Yasuda, Yukihiro, 2021. "Economic policy uncertainty and earnings management: Evidence from Japan," Journal of Financial Stability, Elsevier, vol. 56(C).
    8. Abdulsalam Abidemi Sikiru & Afees A. Salisu, 2022. "Assessing the hedging potential of gold and other precious metals against uncertainty due to epidemics and pandemics," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 56(4), pages 2199-2214, August.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • G15 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - International Financial Markets
    • G18 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • Q02 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - Commodity Market

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