Which COVID-19 information really impacts stock markets?

Information about the COVID-19 pandemic abounds, but which COVID-19 data actually impacts stock prices? We investigate which measures of COVID-19 matter most by applying elastic net regression for measure selection using a sample of the 35 largest stock markets. Out of 24 measures, COVID-19 related Google search trends, the stringency of government responses and media hype prevail during the height of the COVID-19 crisis. These measures proxy for COVID-19 related uncertainty, the economic impact of lockdowns and panic-driven media attention, respectively, summarizing key aspects of COVID-19 that move stock markets. Moreover, geographical proximity to the virus’s outbreak and a country’s development level also matter in terms of impact.