This paper focuses on the explanatory power of world influences, regional effects and political risk indices on the equity market returns for a selection of Asia Pacific countries. The results support the notion that emerging equity market returns are driven by both regional and global factors....

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of sovereign rating changes on international financial markets using a comprehensive database of 42 countries, covering the major regions in the world over the period 1995-2003. In general, we find that rating agencies provide stock and foreign...

This chapter assesses the feasibility of monetary union in other parts of the world, other than Europe. The major issues examined in relation to forming a monetary union are national sovereignty, seigniorage revenues, uneven economic growth and stability of currency unions. Dollarization is...

This chapter examines the trend towards regionalism upon stock market returns for a sample of Asian countries. We find that stock markets are becoming regionally integrated at a faster rate than globally. This finding reflects the growing co-operation between Asian countries. This study focuses...