Dividend Yield and Stock Return in Different Economic Environment: Evidence from Malaysia

This study investigates the relationship between dividend yields and stock returns in bull and bear markets. Evidences from developed countries show that there should be a positive correlation between dividend yields and stock return in bear markets and a negative correlation between dividend yields and stock return during the bull markets. Findings of this study, in emerging market content, show that there is a positive relation between dividend yield and stock returns in both bull and bear markets which are not consistent with previous works.Dividend Yield; Stock Return; Economic Environment; Bull/Bear Market; Malaysia

Moderation Effect of Market Condition on the Relationship between Dividend Yield and Stock Return

This paper examines the existence of moderation effect of market condition on the relationship between dividend yield and stock return in Bursa Malaysia. Results confirm the existence of moderating effect of market condition. However, if the market condition is assumed to have direct impact on the stock return, the tested moderating variable fails to be significant in all forms of market condition. Results also suggest that incorporating moderation variable will improve the explanation power of the model in terms of R-square. In addition, models have been controlled for the size effect of the firms.Moderation Effect; Moderating Effect; Market Condition; Dividend Yield; Stock Return; Malaysia

Recent Advances in Quantum Dots-Based Biosensors

Biosensors can be developed using quantum dots (QDs). An inorganic nucleus with organic molecules attached to its surface is referred to as a QD, and they are a type of new fluorescent nanomaterial. QDs possess unique excellent optical properties and chemical properties, including broad excitation spectra, adjustable particle sizes, confined emission spectra, emission of multiple fluorescence colors, superior signal brightness, and extended fluorescence lifetime. QDs have abundant functional groups, which make it easy to form hybrid nanomaterials that perform analytically well. With functionalized sensing systems, we can detect metal ions, biomarkers, and antibiotics sensitively and selectively through the hybridization of QDs with nanomaterials. In this chapter, we first introduce the research trends in the application of QDs and then discuss their surface modification for biological applications

Contractual Structures and Payoff Patterns of Sukūk Securities

This paper is about the six different Sukūk securities, which originated in 1990s, and are now traded in some 11 markets as the new debt-like securities classed under Islamic finance. The outstanding value of these contracts is estimated to be US $850 billion. This paper proposes a classification for Sukūk contracts as pure debt, equity-based, and asset-backed based on the intrinsic nature and purpose of fund-raising. This classification has more practical use compared to existing classification. Futher, the contract peculiarities of the six instruments (mudārabah, mushārakah, murābahah, ijārah, salam and istisnāh) are carefully specified for the first time. To start a discussion on how the economic behaviour may be modeled for theory building, the potential cash flow pattern of each type of Sukūk contracts is specified. The paper aims to contribute to advanced studies by specifying the basic behavioural characteristics

Dividend Yield and Stock Return in Different Economic Environment: Evidence from Malaysia

This study investigates the relationship between dividend yields and stock returns in bull and bear markets. Evidences from developed countries show that there should be a positive correlation between dividend yields and stock return in bear markets and a negative correlation between dividend yields and stock return during the bull markets. Findings of this study, in emerging market content, show that there is a positive relation between dividend yield and stock returns in both bull and bear markets which are not consistent with previous works

The effects of marketing stimuli factors on consumers’ perceived value and purchase of organic food in Malaysia

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of marketing stimuli factors on consumers’ perceived value and subsequently on their actual purchase of organic food in Malaysia. Five key marketing stimuli variables were examined in this study, and they were product attributes, price, availability, sales promotion and marketing communications.This paper presents the results of a survey conducted on a sampleof 430 organic food consumers in Malaysia. The structural equation modelling was used for data analysis and six hypotheses were tested. The results revealed that product attributes, availability and marketing communication have significantly influence dconsumers’ perceived value of organic food. Subsequently, consumers’ perceived value is positively correlated to the actual purchase of organic food. There was no significant effect of price and sales promotion on consumers’ perceived value of organic food.Based on the findings, the marketing stimuli strategies should be focused on providing superior value to consumers in the aspects of nutritional value, long term health benefits, environment friendliness, social status symbol and easy accessibility to increase consumers’ purchase of organic foods

Sukuk securities and conventional bonds: evidence of significant differences

Sukuk securities have similar features with conventional bonds. The financial press has, however, inappropriately referred to Sukuk as Islamic bonds. This paper investigates sukuk securities empirically by first examining the yields to maturities of sukuk securities and conventional bonds of various issuers and maturities. Tests of differences in performance of the two classes of securities and Granger causality tests substantiate that these securities are different. This paper identifies some significant differences between the yield curves of sukuk securities and those of conventional bonds of the same issuers for the same term and rating. Results show significant differences between the average yields of sukuk and those of conventional bonds with the same quality and term issued by the same issuers from 2005 to 2012. Granger causality tests confirm that the yields of bonds do not Granger-cause the yields of sukuk, verifying no causality between the two. There is strong empirical evidence that the two types of debt instruments are not the same. This prompts re-examination of investment advisory and valuation methodology currently applied in the sukuk industry of 11 capital markets

Moderation Effect of Market Condition on the Relationship between Dividend Yield and Stock Return

This paper examines the existence of moderation effect of market condition on the relationship between dividend yield and stock return in Bursa Malaysia. Results confirm the existence of moderating effect of market condition. However, if the market condition is assumed to have direct impact on the stock return, the tested moderating variable fails to be significant in all forms of market condition. Results also suggest that incorporating moderation variable will improve the explanation power of the model in terms of R-square. In addition, models have been controlled for the size effect of the firms

Sustainability Challenges In Social Marketing: Oil And Gas Companies In Middle East Region Case Study

This study addresses the issue of the climate change crisis, which has caused many dangerous phenomena for humanity, due to greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming, drought, and others. The most important reason for this phenomenon that worries the world is human behavior, especially the use of fossil fuels. The largest contributor to this behavior is international oil companies, which export oil to all countries of the world. The most important major source of oil is the Middle East. Oil companies operating there play an essential role in the growth of the oil industry around the world, which has caused a significant increase in the level of global greenhouse gas emissions. The study reviews the practices undertaken by national companies in the Middle East and their attempts to mitigate the effects of climate change by adopting environmental sustainability policies. This study aims to evaluate national oil companies operating in the Middle East region to determine the level of companies’ ability to contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change. The study reached many results and identified companies with high environmental performance and positive methods that can be disseminated to achieve the required environmental sustainability and implement sustainable development practices, and how to benefit from social marketing and direct it towards enhancing awareness of climate risks

The effects of dietary lysozyme on growth performance and haematological indices of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fingerling

The present study investigates the effects of dietary lysozyme on growth performance and haematological indices of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fingerlings. One hundred and twenty Juvenile rainbow trout fish (initial average weight 5.46±0.05 g) were fed on varying levels of dietary lysozyme (0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 g kg-1) for 8 weeks. Thereafter, growth performance as well as haematological indices including WBC, RBC and Hct were measured. Evaluation of growth performance showed no significant increase in fishes fed on different levels of dietary lysozyme (P>0.05). Also, feeding on dietary lysozyme significantly increased WBC compared control (P<0.05); the highest level was detected in 1.5 g kg-1 treatment. Furthermore, RBC of fish fed 1 or 1.5 g kg-1 lysozyme were significantly higher than other treatments. The same results were noticed in case of Hct which was higher in fish fed treated diet. These results indicated that dietary lysozyme affect haematological parameters rather than growth performance