FACTORS DETERMINING STOCK MARKET RETURNS: CASE OF NAIROBI STOCK EXCHANGE

Abstract

AbstractPurpose: The study attempts to establish if the changing macroeconomic factors and the industry variables can predict the variation on the Nairobi Security Exchange stocks return Methodology: It adopted a regression model that related stock returns to various selected macro and micro economic factors and used data of 20 companies that constitute the NSE index. The study used monthly data spanning the year 2006 to 2010.Results: The regression results indicate that, four of the variables i.e. market return (NSEI), exchange rate for US/KSH, market to book value ratio have a positive and significant relationship with an individual company stock market returns. Risk Free rate (91 Treasury bill rate) also had a positive and significant relationship while industrial growth opportunity and inflation were found to be negative and significant. leverage on the other hand was found to be insignificant and therefore does not influence individual company stock market returns. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: These findings will have significant effects on investors’ investment decisions making as well as the Government and the capital markets authority (CMA) in the formulation of polices and guidelines. Once factor betas are estimated, we can describe the expected change in security returns with respect to changes in a given factor and thus giving the investors, CMA and the Government a better understanding on the effect of a change in the fiscal and monetary policies in the stock market. This is crucial to the Government as it seeks to promote the capital market as a source of alternative funding for economic growth. Investors wishing to construct portfolios should also consider the trends of the inflation rates, exchange rates, market to book value ratio, industrial production and the stock market. The rise of either of this micro and macroeconomic indicators may influence the returns positively or negatively and hence the investor may choose the best time to either buy or sell their securities