Financial market frictions and portfolio investment performance in Nigeria

Abstract

In reallocating resources from the fund surplus unit to the fund deficit unit, financial markets face some interference which is referred to as financial market frictions. The study examines the micro and macro aspects of the effects of financial markets frictions on portfolio investments decisions and performance of financial market participants (individual firms and the entire economy). The study employs secondary data collected from firms annual reports and accounts and the World Bank data bank for national economic data. The firm level data covers a period of five years while the macro level data covers a period of seven (11) years. The study used EView 8.0 for generating the estimation results for the study. The study uses panel least square and two stage least square estimation techniques for the analysis of the data and to test the hypotheses. The study find, amongst other findings, that financial markets frictions and changes in financial market frictions across specific financial markets significantly affect investor’s portfolio decision and performance at the firm level and national economies. The study concludes that financial market frictions affect both portfolio investment decisions and portfolio investment performance in all financial markets and that exchange rate cheanges and changes in other financial markets frictions result in significant changes in investor’s decisions and performance across the globe. The study also concludes that the portfolio constituent of an investor changes with regards to changes in financial frictions. That portfolio investment decisions in all financial markets are significantly influenced by financial markets frictions at varying degrees and magnitudes and that these frictions changes frequently in financial markets. The study recommends, amongst other recommendations, that investors should give considerable attention to minimizing varied financial markets frictions that affect their investment decisions and the performance of their investment portfolio.