Stock market reaction to selected macroeconomic variables in the Nigerian economy

This study examines the relationship between the stock market and selected macroeconomic variables in Nigeria. The all share index was used as a proxy for the stock market while inflation, interest and exchange rates were the macroeconomic variables selected. Employing error correction model, it was found that a significant negative short run relationship exists between the stock market and the minimum rediscounting rate (MRR) implying that, a decrease in the MRR, would improve the performance of the Nigerian stock market. It was also found that exchange rate stability in the long run, improves the performance of the stock market. Though the results for Treasury bill and inflation rates were not significant, the results suggests that they were negatively related to the stock market in the short run thus, achieving low inflation rate and keeping the TBR low could improve the performance of the Nigerian stock market. Specifically, the study concludes that, by achieving stable exchange rates and altering the MRR, monetary policy would be effective in improving the performance of the Nigerian stock market.