Monthly Indices of Returns for the British Equity Market, 1825-70

<P>Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.</P><br>The dataset contains monthly indices of returns for the British equity market covering the period 1825-70. The main data source used is the <i>Course of the Exchange</i>, a stockbroker list for the London Stock Exchange. All common equities from this list are included apart from some stocks for which there is insufficient or missing data and stocks which listed for less than 12 months. Using monthly stock prices from the <i>Course of the Exchange</i>, the team computed capital appreciation, dividend yield and total return for the overall market and for the thirteen industrial/commercial sectors on the market. These returns were computed using three weighting techniques - weighted by market capitalization, weighted by paid-up capital, and equally weighted (or unweighted). Monthly total market capitalization and paid-up capital is also reported for the overall market and for each of the thirteen sectors. In an attempt to control for survivorship bias, adjustments are made to the total returns using three different strategies. Using these strategies, the lower and upper bound estimates of shareholder returns are established.<br>
<br><br><B>Main Topics</B>:<BR><br>The stock indices currently available for the 1825-1870 period are based on a small sample of equity stocks. Indeed, the best index, that of Gayer at al, only covers the period up to 1850. The aim of this study was to construct a comprehensive dataset of British equity prices for the 1825-70 period, using share price data from <i>The Course of the Exchange</i> and <i>The Railway Times</i>. As well as estimating total market capitalisation for the period mentioned, this study also shows sectoral indices. These indices will enable researchers to address three important research questions. Firstly, it will be possible to measure the growth of the market for equity and analyse which sectors contributed to the growth. Secondly, using this data will make it possible to shed some light on the extent to which uncalled capital was used and to determine the riskiness and value of uncalled capital. Thirdly, this study provides the possibility to assess the impact of liberalisation of company law on the development on the equity market.<br>