A Nonlinear New Approach to Investigating Crisis: A Case from Malaysia

In this paper, we have investigated the effects of Asia 97 crisis on Malaysian stock exchange market by using a nonlinear approach which gives a detailed analysis with respect to linear counterparts. Specifically, we are using generalized impulse response function (GIRF) in order to see the effects of crisis on stock indices. In order to employ GIRF analysis, we need further investigation on potential nonlinearities in conditional mean and variance equation for Malaysia stock market. Specifically, we use STAR-STGARCH family models for modeling daily returns of the Investable and Non-Investable Malaysia stock indices, covering the period 1995.06.30-2003.09.05. The analysis of this paper shows that individual markets of Malaysia have strongly been affected from the Asia 97 crisis. In addition, the Asia 97 crisis has increased the variability of the Malaysia stock market and affected foreign investors more than the domestic investors.