International Equity Indices and Public Trust

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Reference

Kaiser, L. (2018). International Equity Indices and Public Trust. Journal of Investing, 27(2), 76-89. (ABDC_2022: B)

Publication type

Article in Scientific Journal

Abstract

We make use of the Edelman Trust Barometer to test for the relationship between public trust and international equity returns. The data allows for a two-dimensional split as to differentiate between the levels of trust expressed by (1) the general public and (2) informed publics. We examine the relationship between public trust indices and subsequent equity returns and find that portfolios of international stock indices, weighted and ranked according to the general level of trust, outperform classical GDP and equal-weighted portfolios. Furthermore, we differentiate between trust associated to three global institutions: business, government and media, as well as on a regional level according to developed and emerging markets. We document varying degrees of importance with respect to trust levels associated to considered institutions and across regions. Overall, we interpret public trust as a source of alpha rather than a priced risk factor.

Persons

Organizational Units

  • Chair in Business Administration, Banking and Financial Management
  • Institute for Finance

Original Source URL

Link

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.3905/joi.2018.27.2.076