Inflation and Stock Returns: Implication for Nigerian Stock Exchange Market

Abstract

Understanding various hypotheses often dictates the nexus between inflation and stock returns and over the years studies have failed to establish which among these hypotheses are examined in Nigeria. Therefore, this present study examines the long-run relationships and dynamic interactions between stock returns and inflation in Nigeria using quarterly data of the All Share Price Index from the Nigerian Stock Exchange and Inflation rate together with other selected macroeconomic variables such as interest rate, exchange rate and growth in real GDP from 1985Q1 to 2018Q4. The analytical technique of Vector Error Correction Model, Johansen Co-integration technique and Granger Causality test were exploited. From the results, it is evident there exists a long run relationship between stock returns and inflation in Nigeria. The short run dynamic model also revealed that the speed of convergence to equilibrium is moderate implying that there is a short run relationship between stock returns and inflation. However, in order to establish the causal links and its directions between inflation rate and stock returns, the Johansen co-integration shows that there exist a unidirectional relationship between stock return and inflation rate. This is attributable perhaps to the instability of prices of stocks noticed over time and also the study supported the Proxy hypothesis. Based on the above, it is a perfect avenue for investors to use in an attempt to hedge against inflation.