| dc.description.abstract | Effect of inflation on the stock exchange has been under scrutiny in past few decades due to the
interest potential investors have shown in the stock market globally. However, the empirical
studies in this area have concentrated more on developed countries with very little evidence from
developing economies with emerging stock markets such as Kenya. The 'purpose of this study
therefore was to determine the effect of inflation on the market activity and market liquidity
performance of Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE). The specific objectives were: to determine
the effects of inflation on the value of shares traded at the NSE, to determine the effects of
inflation on volume of shares traded at the NSE and lastly, to determine the effects of inflation
on the total value of shares traded to market capitalization. The study is anchored on the Fishers
theory on inflation and stock market return sand guided by a conceptual framework where the
dependent variables are the volume of share traded, the value of share traded and the value of
share traded to market capitalization at NSE while the independent variable is the inflation rate.
The study adopted a correlation research design to establish effect. Secondary data was used
which comprised of all ordinary shares traded between 2008 and 2013 on a monthly basis and 72
observations (n = 72) were recorded. Data was obtained through review of both Kenya National
Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) and NSE documents. A correlation analysis between inflation rate
and the value of shares traded showed an inverse relationship of -759.48 and t = 1.55 ~ 2.0
meaning that inflation rate is significant and a unit increase leads to a -759.48 decrease in the
value of shares traded. The coefficient of determination of inflation rate is R2 = 0.376 meaning
that inflation rate accounts for 37.6% of the performance- of NSE in terms of market value.
Further, the analysis of inflation rate on volume of shares traded indicated a correlation
coefficient of -6.06 and t = -2.21 meaning that inflation rate is significant and a unit increase '
leads to a -6.06 decrease in the volume of shares traded. The coefficient of determination of
inflation rate against volume of shares traded is R2 = 0.549 meaning that inflation rate accounts
for 54.9% of the volume of shares traded at NSE. In conclusion, the overall performance ofNSE
measured by value and volume of shares traded is inversely affected by changes in the rates of
inflation. These findings are useful for policy formulation to sustain performance of NSE
against inflationary effects. | en_US |
