Herd behaviour in Malaysian capital market: An empirical analysis

This study examines the existence of herd behavior among foreign investors in the Malaysian capital market. In methodology, the study analyzes the herd behavior by estimating vector error correction (VECM) model of FPI inflows as well as FPI outflows from/to major investors such as the United States, United Kingdom, Singapore and Hong Kong using quarterly data covering the period of Q1:1991 to Q3:2007. Additionally, we adopt an innovation accounting by simulating variance decompositions (VDC) and impulse response functions (IRF) for further inferences. The findings support the belief that there is a strong herd instinct prevailing among foreign investors in the Malaysian capital market.Foreign portfolio investment; herd behavior; VECM; Impulse Response Function; Variance Decomposition

Herd behaviour in Malaysian capital market: An empirical analysis

This study examines the existence of herd behavior among foreign investors in the Malaysian capital market. In methodology, the study analyzes the herd behavior by estimating vector error correction (VECM) model of FPI inflows as well as FPI outflows from/to major investors such as the United States, United Kingdom, Singapore and Hong Kong using quarterly data covering the period of Q1:1991 to Q3:2007. Additionally, we adopt an innovation accounting by simulating variance decompositions (VDC) and impulse response functions (IRF) for further inferences. The findings support the belief that there is a strong herd instinct prevailing among foreign investors in the Malaysian capital market

Handling Default Risks in Microfinance: The Case of Bangladesh

Despite the current enthusiasms in applying the concept of microfinance as a poverty alleviation tool in many countries, the risk management aspects of microfinancing should not be overlooked. This paper highlights several incidences of default risks in microfinance and subsequently, provides a comprehensive exploratory study on the various ways to handle the default risks in microfinance. While there are social and religious objectives embedded in extending microfinancing, fact is that the financiers are business entities having the objectives of maximizing returns and minimizing losses. In this regard, this paper contributes towards a more effective recovery process, so that more people can benefit from the microfinancing facilities. Several suggestions are highlighted to maximize the benefits of microfinance to both the creditors and borrowers with the objective of realizing a win-win situation for both parties.Microfinance, default risks, recovery process, Bangladesh

Foreign Portfolio Investment and Economic Growth in Malaysia

This study examines the relationship between foreign portfolio investment (FPI) and Malaysia’s economic performance. In particular, the study analyses the relationship between FPI and real gross domestic product (GDP) using the widely adopted Granger causality test and the more recent Toda and Yamamoto’s (1995) non-causality test to establish the direction of causation between the two variables. Similar method is also applied on the relationship between volatility of FPI and real GDP. Additionally, the study uses an innovation accounting by simulating variance decompositions and impulse response functions for further inferences. Using quarterly data covering the period from 1991 to 2006, the study finds evidence that economic growth causes changes in the FPI and its volatility and not vice versa.. The findings suggest that economic performance is the major pull factor in attracting FPI into the country. Thus, it must be ensured that the Malaysian economy remains on a healthy and sustainable growth path so as to maintain investor confidence in the economy.Foreign Portfolio Investment, Economic Growth, Granger Causality, Toda-Yamamoto Non-causality, Variance Decomposition

Repayment patterns, financial discipline and consumer profiling: an empirical investigation among credit card users in Malaysia

This study attempts to investigate the extent of financial discipline being observed by the credit card users in Malaysia and subsequently relate the financial discipline levels to the profile of the credit card users. To measure financial discipline, the study focuses on repayment preference of the card users, as to whether they would pay in the full amount of the outstanding balance, pay according to ability, or pay the minimum required amount. Descriptive analysis is used to describe the profile of the credit card users, while the relationship between the repayment preferences and credit card users’ profile is assessed empirically using Pearson correlation analysis and further substantiated by the chi-square analysis. The results of this study provide information on the segments of the credit card users that are susceptible to financial difficulties, which are of particular interests to the policymakers amid the increasing concerns of consumer indebtedness in this country

Credit card holders in Malaysia: customer characteristics and credit card usage

As an effort to profile credit card users in Malaysia, this study seeks to examine the relationship between credit card users’ characteristics (demographics and socio-economic factors) and credit card usage. Using a convenient sampling method, a survey was conducted on 350 credit card holders in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. Customer background includes gender, age, occupation, and monthly gross income. The credit card usage was measured by items constructed specifically for this research which is adopted from past studies on credit card. Descriptive analysis is used to describe the customers’ background and credit card usage, while the relationship between consumer characteristics and credit card usage is being assessed empirically using cross tabulation/chi-square and ANOVA. The findings of this study revealed that there are significant differences in credit card usage among credit card holders of different personal background. However, simple t-tests showed there is no significant difference in credit card usage among users of different gender. This study has significance in terms of providing useful information for developing customer profile and revising credit card promotional strategies

Risk Management Practices of Selected Islamic Banks in Malaysia

This study explores the risk management practices of major Islamic banks in Malaysia with the objective of having deeper understanding of the practices and identifying ways for further improvements. Various aspects of risk management practices are assessed through survey questionnaires, particularly those relevant and specific to the case of the Islamic banks. The study finds that the Islamic banks adopt good risk management practices with few areas of improvements include the use of computerised support systems and more sophisticated approaches to measure risks and the use of Shari\u27ah compliance techniques to mitigate risks. By assessing their current risk management practices, the study hopes to contribute in terms of recommending strategies to strengthen the risk management practices of the Islamic banks so as to increase the overall competitiveness in the Islamic banking industry

Evaluating Monetary Transmission Mechanism in Indonesia Through Exchange Rate Channel

:This study aims to evaluate the role of exchange rate channel in transmitting mone­tary policy effects in Indonesia by addressing the following questions: (i) to what extent is the contribution of the exchange rate in inflation rate fluctuations in Indonesia? (ii) What are the effects of exchange rate channel in explaining the direct pass through effect in Indonesia; and (iii) can the exchange rate channel explain the trade competitiveness in Indonesia? The study utilizes monthly data spanning from January 1990 to April 2009 and is divided into four sub-periods, namely (i) pre-crisis period: January 1990-July 1997; (ii) crisis period: August 1997-December 2000; (iii) post-crisis period: January 2001-June 2005; and (iv) post-ITF period: July 2005-April 2009. By adopting the standard Vector Autoregression model, the study finds changing nature of the exchange rate channel during the various sub-periods of the study

Why does Waqf Literacy Matter?

Many studies have highlighted a low literacy level of waqf among Muslims all over the world. In Indonesia, an effort to measure the level of waqf literacy using an index was initiated by the Indonesian Waqf Board in 2020. The result has proven that there is a low level of waqf literacy in Indonesia. This study aims to explore the reasons behind the low level of waqf literacy and understand the importance of waqf literacy. Based on a literature survey, the following aspects need to be clearly explained and elaborated to effectively improve waqf literacy among the public. First, the unique characteristics of waqf compared to other Islamic alms; second, waqf literacy is positively related to waqf collection; third, the utilization of waqf can be further enhanced when the literacy is higher; and fourth, disputes and conflicts about waqf ownership are frequently due to lack of waqf literacy. In summary, this study is expected to increase the interest and attention of all stakeholders toward enhancing waqf literacy. Waqf authorities and waqf institutions are encouraged to intensify education and socialization about waqf, while researchers are expected to study more on waqf literacy. To further develop the waqf sector, it is necessary to have a road map to increase waqf literacy. Originality/Value: The study aims to explore the reasons behind the importance of waqf literacy in Indonesia. Identifying these reasons in the Indonesian context could pave the way for tailored interventions and policies to improve waqf literacy, which may have implications for similar contexts elsewhere

Institutional and macroeconomic determinants of financial development in the OIC countries

The role of a well-developed and functioning financial system to the growth process of nations is strongly recognized in both the academia and policy cycles. Consequently, the question arose that if financial development is so important to economic growth, then, what determines it is equally worthy of attention. This study is inspired by this concern and the fact that financial development in the OIC member countries is low relative to other developing countries. The study investigated the institutional and macroeconomic determinants of financial development in 50 OIC member countries over the period 2003 to 2011. Due to the potentials of country specific effects and endogeneity of explanatory variables, a dynamic panel approach that is system-GMM was employed. The results revealed that overall level of income positively influences financial development, and exchange rate encourages financial depth and lending activities. Financial openness is found to only promote financial depth, while institutional quality only promotes lending activities. On the other hand, inflation stimulates bank private credit and reduces the depth of the financial sector. This mixed results implied that, policy makers in the OIC countries, shall adopt a hybrid of economic and financial policies as well as implement political, legal and governance reforms in order to strike a balance between the needs of both the suppliers and users of funds, enhance financial development and hence promote economic growth