Hometown: Sylva, NC

Year in School: Junior

Major: Marketing and Management

Project Abstract:

This study investigates how the market measured by stock prices and trading volumes, as well as option prices and trading volumes, changed in response to the 2010 BP Oil Spill. Subsequently, we surveyed young consumers about their awareness of the oil spill, as well as their perception of BP and their willingness to buy from the company. 

Our results indicate that initially the stock price did not change. And that it was not until President Obama went on national television and said he would “sack the executive of BP” that the stock price stated to fall. Survey results indicated that few young consumers are aware of the oil spill. One of the most interesting findings was that some participants associated BP with washing baby ducks rather than with the oil spill. 

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Marco Lam, Accounting, Finance, Information Systems, and Business Law