Gupta, RanganModise, Mampho P.2016-11-042016-11-042013-11Gupta, R & Modise, MO 2013, 'Does the source of oil price shocks matter for South African stock returns? A structural VAR approach', Energy Economics, vol. 40, pp. 825-831.0140-9883 (print)1873-6181 (online)10.1016/j.eneco.2013.10.005http://hdl.handle.net/2263/57668In this paper, we investigate the dynamic relationship between different oil price shocks and the South African stock market using a sign restriction structural vector autoregression (VAR) approach for the period 1973:01 to 2011:07. The results show that for an oil-importing country like South Africa, stock returns only increase with oil prices when global economic activity improves. In response to oil supply shocks and speculative demand shocks, stock returns and the real price of oil move in opposite directions. The analysis of the variance decomposition shows that the oil supply shock contributes more to the variability in real stock prices. The main conclusion is that different oil price shocks affect stock returns differently and policy makers and investors should always consider the source of the shock before implementing policy and making investment decisions.en© 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Notice : this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Energy Economics. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. A definitive version was subsequently published in Energy Economics, vol. 40, pp. 825-831, 2013. doi : 10.1016/j.eneco.2013.10.005.Oil price shocksStock returnsSign-restrictionsStructural vectorAutoregressionVector autoregression (VAR)Postprint Article