Purpose Studies on transfers to a more regulated section show an increase in information disclosure and stocks’ liquidity levels. Classical theories suggest that volatility should also be reduced. This study aims to analyse the long-term effects of a section transfer to a more regulated section (TSE 1/TSE 2) on stock return volatility. Design/methodology/approach This study uses an empirical framework relying on two-sample t-tests and panel regressions. These use robust standard errors and control for fixed effects, day effects and macroeconomic factors. The return variance of comparable stocks’ benchmark sample, instead of market variance, is used as a control variable. Comparable stocks operate within the same industry and do not transfer during the sample period. The authors test our results’ robustness using generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity estimates. Findings The study’s main findings show that pre-transferred stocks are more volatile than the stocks’ benchmark sample. The transfer to a more regulated section leads to a gradual decrease in the total daily stock return volatility, intraday return volatility and overnight return volatility. Originality/value To the best of my knowledge, this study is the first to empirically address the volatility change caused by the stocks’ transfer to a more regulated section. This study highlights the benefits of choosing section transfers to reduce volatility.

Transfer of stocks to a more regulated section within the same stock exchange is a quasi-natural experiment that enhances the investor base of companies. The purpose of this paper is to examine for the first time this investor base change and its price-impact. Considering the Japanese Exchange Group merger in 2012 and its structural amendments, the author uses a final sample of 181 firms between 2014-2019. An event study methodology is used to examine the abnormal returns and trading activity in relation to the investor base change proxy. The study also uses robust MM regression analysis to investigate whether the expected price-impact has is temporary or permanent. The results demonstrate that companies that had the largest positive shift in investor base also experienced the largest positive abnormal returns (+ 3.74%) and volume gains. Crucially, the author found no evidence of reversal of this price-impact, inconsistent with the price-pressure hypothesis. Instead, the increase in stock prices caused by section transfer to a more regulated section seems to be permanent. Keywords: Section transfers, More regulated section, TSE1, TSE2, Investor Base Change, Permanent price-impact.