Abstract

This paper investigates the reaction of equity and volatility indices in the U.S. and Canada to changes in monetary policy by each respective country. The results confirm previous literature that suggests contractionary changes in monetary policy in the U.S. results in downward pressure on U.S. equity indices. Additionally, this research finds that monetary policy changes do not have any significant impact on the volatilely index in the U.S. (VIX). The results from the Canadian data show a much different picture. Contractionary changes of monetary policy in both Canada and the U.S. seem to drive Canadian equity markets in an upward manner. These monetary policy shocks also have a significant impact on volatilely indices in Canada. This research documents the dynamic relationship monetary policy has on equity markets in the U.S. and Canada.

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