Effects of Business and Consumer Confidence on Stock Market Returns : Cross-Sectional Evidence

This paper examines the effects of business and consumer confidence on stock market returns. Based on the analysis of monthly data from thirty-one countries, the results show that business and consumer confidence has a positive effect on stock market returns. The findings reveal that change in consumer confidence has a stronger effect on stock market returns across countries than the change in business confidence. The results are useful for stock market valuation, investment and risk management