Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Format of Original

10 p.

Publication Date

1-1994

Publisher

Southern Economic Association

Source Publication

Southern Economic Journal

Source ISSN

0038-4038

Original Item ID

doi: 10.2307/1060570

Abstract

Using the analytical approach made famous by Chetty [4] and quarterly data covering the period from 1963.4 through 1991.3, we estimate elasticities of substitution between common stocks and residential housing and between stocks and government bonds, Treasury bills, money, the sum of savings and time deposits, and corporate paper. We also test whether these elasticities changed following the 1987 stock market crash.

We find that there is virtually no substitutability between stocks and other financial assets. Moreover, we find no evidence that asset holders are willing to substitute between stocks and housing. This last finding contradicts Runkle's suggestion that as stock returns decline, consumers may move into housing, or other durable goods. In fact, it appears that individuals consider equities to be a requirement in their portfolio, and are not willing to use other assets as substitutes. We also find that, with one exception, the stock market crash of 1987 did not have a significant impact on the substitutability between common stocks and the other assets. The only exception is that, following the crash, stocks and Treasury bills actually became complements.

Comments

Published version. Southern Economic Journal, Vol. 60, No. 3 (January 1994): 612-621. DOI. © 1994 Southern Economic Association. Used with permission.

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