Impact of COVID-19 on stock market performance in Malaysia / Nur Aina Nabilah Mohd Zaidi

Covid-19 has spread over the world since the first case was recorded at the end of 2019. resulting in over 2 million confirmed cases. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) designated the Covid-19 virus to be a pandemic. The global financial market, which includes Malaysia. has been impacted by the Covid-19 outbreak. The Movement Control Order (MCO) not only restricts human movement, but it also limits financial profitability for businesses and has a substantial influence on stock market performance. The objective of this research is to see if there's a relationship between Malaysian stock market performance and factors associated with the new Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic outbreak. This research is aimed at the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI Index and eight other important indexes from January 2, 2020, to April 30, 2020, which includes the first three MCOs. The independent variables used in this study were the Bursa Malaysia FBM KLCI Index. The dependent variables used in this study were (i) percentage change in new cases of Covid-19; (ii) percentage change in recovery cases from Covid-19; (iii) percentage of completed Covid-19's vaccinations; (iv) changes in interest rates, and (v) exchange rates. The sample period of this study covered from March 2020 to April 2021. These insights can assist Bursa Malaysia investors manage their investment portfolios according to their risk tolerances and gain a better knowledge of the impact of Covid-19 on different sectors in Malaysia. Expected finding for new cases, recovery cases and completed vaccination have a positive relationship. Meanwhile, for the interest rates and exchange rates have negative relationship.