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Through sponsorship, the Olympic Games can not only help enterprises build positive images, increase their exposure and reputation but also unite them with Chinese citizens supportive of this international event. However, after paying for high-cost sponsorships and marketing, can enterprises enjoy better stock returns? And will they suffer from a relatively higher systematic risk value (β)? Focusing on sponsors of 2008 Olympic Games, this study divided sponsors by sponsorship types into TOP global sponsors of Olympic Games, sponsors of 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, and other sponsors. The research period spanned from Jun 1, 2006 to Mar 31, 2008. The empirical findings are as follows: 1. Through compilation of stock indexes, it could be observed that from Jun 1, 2006 to Mar 31 2008, sponsors of Olympic Games presented better stock price performance than the market (Dow Jones). In terms of stock price performance by sponsorship type, sponsors of 2008 Beijing Olympic Games ranked first, followed by other sponsors and TOP global sponsors of Olympic Games, where only TOP global sponsors of Olympic Games had lower stock price performance than the market. 2. From ANOVA multiple comparison, it could be discovered that (1) sponsorship level (amount) is not positively correlated with stock returns; (2) sponsors from the hosting nation, China, had significantly higher average daily return; (3) stocks of lower market values had significantly higher rates of return, and the size effect was present; (4) stocks of lower price earnings ratios (P/E ratio) had significantly lower rates of return; (5) stocks with lower earnings per share (EPS) had significantly higher rates of return; and (6) firms with a longer history would have significantly lower rates of return. 3. The systematic risks (β) of these Olympic Games sponsors were significantly smaller than 1 and greater than 0, indicating that the volatility of their stocks was smaller than that of the market and would move in the same direction with the market. Compared with the market, their stocks were portfolios with relatively lower risks (moderate and stable portfolios). According to capital asset pricing model (CAPM), higher systematic risks would lead to a relatively higher volatility, so risks taken by investors would be relatively higher than the expected returns. Among the three types of Olympic Games sponsors, TOP global sponsors with worldwide marketing platforms had the highest systematic risks and volatility. Sponsors of 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, consisting of China’s state-run enterprises, had the most stable volatility and lowest systematic risks.
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