An analysis of commercial bank common stock returns: 1802–97

This study creates analyses for the first time a continous index of returns on commercial bank common stocks listed in a specific market. The index is constructed from a unique set of historical data and is calculated on both a weighted and unweighted basis, first including and then excluding dividends. A measure of volatility is calculated annually.

The results indicate that the dividend component of holding period returns is very important. Including dividends, average returns were 6.0% for the century; excluding dividends, average returns were 0.1%. Excess returns were calculated using two different measures of a riskless rate of return. Cumulative excess returns for the first half of the nineteenth century were negative. Real returns were calculated, and found to be generally positive over the century. The volatility of returns was quite high during certain periods.

Examining the effects of significant economic and political events on bank common stock returns, we find that the War of 1812, the Civil War, and the National Banking System had a significant impact on bank stock returns. Several economic panics, several depressions, the First and Second Banks of the United States, the Embargo of 1807, and the Suffolk Bank had no measureable impact.