The COVID-19 Outbreak and Volatility Spillover Between Stock Exchange’s Overall and Small- and Medium-enterprise Indices: Evidence from India

Abstract

The research examines the dynamic correlation between the volatility of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the Small- and Medium-enterprises (SMEs) Index of BSE in India. It focuses on analysing the volatility spillover between SME and BSE by utilising the generalised autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) model. The study extends its scope by examining the impact of the current pandemic, COVID-19, on the volatility of both SME and BSE by utilising the exponential GARCH and threshold GARCH models. Findings suggest that there is volatility spillover between the two indices. The results also highlight that the pandemic significantly affected the volatility of both indices. The findings of the study provide important implications for policymakers, portfolio managers, and investors, particularly when the Indian government has been emphasising on the growth and continuous support of the small and medium enterprises and increasing foreign investments in India’s SMEs in recent years.