Information Spillover Between Crude Oil and Stock Markets: Evidence from Subsidy Cut for RON95 Fuel Price in Malaysia

摘要

Malaysia has been enjoying fixed retail prices for research octane number (RON) 95 petrol and diesel as a form of subsidy from the government since 1983. As of December 2014, the pricing of RON95 and diesel officially went on a managed float mechanism. Therefore, this study examines how information on oil shocks is transmitted to FTSE Bursa Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (FBM KLCI) upon the announcement of subsidy cut for RON95 fuel price on 2 October 2014. The sample period of September 2013–December 2014 is separated into the pre-announcement (3 September 2013–1 October 2014) and post-announcement (2 October 2014–28 November 2014) periods. Using the forecast error variance decomposition, the results indicate that Brent crude oil prices dominate information spillover during the post-announcement period. From the perspective of investors’ behaviour, this study suggests that investors’ sensitivity towards information on oil price is elevated by the announcement of subsidy cut and steers their consciousness towards information on oil prices in making decisions.