Volume 64, Issue 4 pp. 3275-3299
RESEARCH ARTICLE

The capital market consequences of stock market liberalisation: Evidence from Mainland-Hong Kong Stock Connect Programs in China

Renhui Fu

Renhui Fu

Antai College of Economics and Management, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China

Search for more papers by this author
Fang Gao

Fang Gao

Glorious Sun School of Business and Management, Donghua University, Shanghai, China

Search for more papers by this author
Yi Zhao

Corresponding Author

Yi Zhao

International Business School, Henan University, Henan, China

Correspondence

Yi Zhao, International Business School, Henan University, Henan, China.

Email: [email protected]

Search for more papers by this author
First published: 02 April 2024
Citations: 1

Abstract

We analyse the capital market consequences of stock market liberalisation in a quasi-natural experiment setting, where Mainland-Hong Kong Stock Connect Programs allow foreign investors to trade in the Chinese stock market. Utilising difference-in-differences estimations, we observe improved stock liquidity, driven by direct liquidity provision and indirect signals to domestic investors. Particularly notable are the effects on eligible stocks without previous exposure to foreign investors, characterised by high corporate transparency and investor protection. The resulting liquidity enhancements reduce equity costs, ultimately elevating firm value. In short, our study highlights the positive influence of stock market liberalisation on the capital market.

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

The full text of this article hosted at iucr.org is unavailable due to technical difficulties.