Fiscal Policy Shocks and the Dynamics of Asset Prices: The South African Experience

Aye G. C., Balcilar M., Gupta R., Jooste C., Miller S. M., ÖZDEMİR Z. A.

PUBLIC FINANCE REVIEW, vol.42, no.4, pp.511-531, 2014 (ESCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 42 Issue: 4
  • Publication Date: 2014
  • Doi Number: 10.1177/1091142113501713
  • Journal Name: PUBLIC FINANCE REVIEW
  • Journal Indexes: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.511-531
  • Keywords: Bayesian sign-restricted VAR, fiscal policy, housing prices, stock prices
  • Ankara Haci Bayram Veli University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study assesses how fiscal policy affects the dynamics of asset markets, using Bayesian vector autoregressive models. We use sign restrictions to identify government revenue and government spending shocks, while controlling for generic business cycle and monetary policy shocks. Using South African quarterly data from 1966: Q1 to 2011: Q2, we find that fiscal spending shocks affect stock prices more than house prices. Both spending and revenue shocks affect stock prices whereas only revenue shocks affect house prices.