This paper examines the effects of return spillovers from regional (Saudi Arabia) and global (US) markets to GCC stock markets (Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab Emirates). The paper develops various bivariate GARCH models for regional and global returns: BEKK, constant correlation and dynamic correlation. The specification tests are used to choose between the models with and without asymmetric effects. The estimated innovations for the regional and global returns are then used as input for the univariate volatility spillover model which allows the unexpected returns of any particular GCC stock market be driven by three sources of shocks: local, regional from Saudi Arabia and global from US. We find significant return spillover effects from Saudi Arabia and US to GCC markets. Trade, turnover and institutional quality has significant impacts on regional volatility spillovers from Saudi Arabia to GCC markets. There are macroeconomic policy implications associated with the strengthening of intra-regional and cross-border trade in goods, services and assets and regulatory framework.

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