Mean and Variance Causality Between the Cyprus Stock Exchange and Major Equity Markets

Abstract

This paper examines the issue of mean and variance causality across four equity markets using daily data for the period 1996-2002. We apply the testing procedure developed by Cheung and Ng (1996) in order to test for mean and variance spillovers among the stock markets of Cyprus, Athens, London and New York. The main findings of our analysis are: (i) EGARCH-M processes characterize each stock returns series in all markets; (ii) There is substantial evidence of causality in both mean and variance with the causality in mean largely being driven by the causality in variance; and (iii) The results indicate the stock markets of Athens, London and New York are the major exporters of causality and the stock market of Cyprus is an importer of causality.