This paper analyses the dynamic impact of fossil energy shocks (crude oil and Natural gas) on renewable clean energy stock markets during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a time-varying VAR model with stochastic volatilities, we conduct distinct analyses over the period from 10^th March to 15^th June 2020, while distinguishing between three sub-periods. Our key findings show a significant increase in the returns of clean energy stocks after the sharp collapse of crude oil prices. However, we find the opposite effect on renewable energy stock returns after the OPEC+ agreement. The results also indicate that the announcement of COVID-19 as a global pandemic caused the prices of both Natural gas and renewables to rise after a decrease. By contrast, after the crude oil shocks, there was no response of renewables to Natural gas shocks. Furthermore, the stochastic volatility reveals that after the OPEC-Russia agreements, the volatility of crude oil returns gets back to normal and steady fluctuation. Our results provide useful implications for policy-makers to mitigate the negative effects on renewable energy investments due the uncertainty related to the ongoing pandemic.

This study seeks to provide empirical evidence of the efficacy of board characteristics in constraining management opportunism, measured by real earnings management. The paper uses regression analysis to document empirical evidence regarding the impact of the independence of boards of directors and the independence of committees on real earnings management in 7,481 US firms over the period 2000 to 2009. This study contributes to empirical studies on the role of corporate governance in financial reporting quality by demonstrating the role of the independence of boards of directors and the independence of committees in constraining real earnings management. These results should contribute to providing an orientation for future regulators regarding possible amendments, especially in the wake of the current financial crisis.