Entry, exit, ownership structure and the Efficient Market Hypothesis: A case study of the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to provide a new theoretical perspective on testing the Efficient Market Hypothesis in the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange (KLSE). Previous studies have shown that the KLSE is weak form efficient or at most semi strong form efficient. However, an adequate explanation has not been provided as to why the KLSE is not strong form efficient. The paper suggests that this is because the KLSE does not approximate the neoclassical competitive model in terms of entry, pricing and exit. There are barriers to entry and exit and hence to the free flow of accurate and complete information in the KLSE. The securities offered for sale are also underpriced as there is extensive government intervention to ensure adequate returns to investors. The market is also dominated by large government owned and family owned conglomerates. This together with a segmented market for three classes of investors, that is, the bumiputras, the other Malaysians and foreigners ensures that resources are not allowed to flow to their most value users and hence prices are not competitively set. The paper ends by noting that the KLSE is moving from a government dominated exchange for securities to a market system as a result of recent reforms and policy changes.