Stock Market Liberalization, Stock Market Performance and Economic Growth in Kenya

Abstract

The study empirically examined whether stock market liberalization improves the functioning of domestic stock market and accelerates economic growth in Kenya. The study also assessed the kind of relationship between liberalization, stock market performance and economic growth in Kenya. Liberalization was assessed by stock market capitalization while turnover was used to asses stock market performance. The study used quarterly time series data collected through secondary sources and covered a period of 22 years from January, 1991 to December, 2012. The study utilized econometric techniques of Vector autoregressive and Granger Causality Tests to investigate the relationships. The results displayed a one way causality that runs from stock market development to economic growth. The results also show that stock market liberalization indirectly impacts on economic growth through investment. The study found that stock market liberalization has a significant positive impact on the economic growth in Kenya