Feverish Stock Price Reactions to COVID-19

The market reactions to the 2019 novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) provide new insights into how real shocks and financial policies drive firm value. Initially, internationally-oriented firms, especially those more exposed to trade with China, underperformed. As the virus spread to Europe and the US, corporate debt and cash holdings emerged as important value drivers, relevant even after the Fed intervened in the bond market. The content and tone of conference calls mirror this development over time. Overall, the results illustrate how the anticipated real effects from the health crisis, a rare disaster, were amplified through financial channels.