The COVID-19 pandemic and shareholder value: impact and mitigation


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Date

2023

Publication Type

Journal Article

ETH Bibliography

yes

Citations

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Data

Abstract

The financial implications of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic and the effective mitigation of the negative effects are the subject of an ongoing debate. We aim to empirically substantiate this debate. Based on a sample of 4,032 publicly traded U.S. and Chinese firms, we conduct an event study and find that the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with a substantial decrease in shareholder value, significantly varying between U.S. and Chinese firms and across industries. We further identify structure- and supply chain-related firm factors that mitigate the negative impact. Specifically, we find that smaller firms experience a less negative impact on shareholder value, challenging established findings. Our results also suggest that a lower dependence on physical assets, a shorter trade cycle, and a higher degree of vertical integration attenuate the negative impact on shareholder value. Our findings provide important insights for managers and policymakers. We recommend managers to reduce the dependency on business models that strongly rely on physical assets, to streamline trade cycles, and to reduce supply chain complexity. From a policy perspective, we emphasise the importance of more industry-specific granularity of public support measures.

Publication status

published

Editor

Book title

Volume

61 (8)

Pages / Article No.

2470 - 2492

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Event

Edition / version

Methods

Software

Geographic location

Date collected

Date created

Subject

COVID-19; supply chain disruption; firm resilience; shareholder value; event study

Organisational unit

03813 - Wagner, Stephan M. / Wagner, Stephan M. check_circle

Notes

Funding

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