A Closer Look at the Effects of Equity Market Liberalization in Emerging Markets

Earlier studies have linked equity market liberalization to growth in emerging markets. Some conclude liberalization causes growth, whereas others contend contemporaneous economic policies and conditions play important roles. The causal argument contends that foreigner investability in public firms leads to lower discount rates and greater share issuance, investment, and efficiency. Using three separate measures of foreign investability, we do not find these effects. Moreover, common de jure foreigner-investability measures are poor de facto measures. Economic indicators, not directly influenced by equity market liberalization, also grow faster in countries with more investable firms. Our findings suggest foreigner investability cannot fully explain the equity-market-liberalization-growth relation. (JEL F30, F38, G30, G24, G15)