South African corporate governance faces key reckoning

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
South African ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
White Collar Crime ◽  
Share Price ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Johannesburg Stock Exchange ◽  
Regulatory Changes ◽  
State Capture ◽  
Criminal Charges

Subject South African corporate governance. Significance Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE)-listed IT company EOH, which has seen its share price decline by over half in 2019, announced on October 11 it would press criminal charges against employees implicated in corruption. As South Africa’s institutions begin to grapple with the spectre of ‘state capture’, public pressure is growing to tackle more sophisticated ‘white-collar’ crime. Impacts Large institutional investors will increasingly refine their approach to evaluating firms, including how they determine governance quality. A major UK-based report on auditing due later this year will likely result in similar regulatory changes elsewhere, including South Africa. The Financial Sector Conduct Authority enforcement head has vowed firmer action against transgressors of financial market regulations.

scholarly journals The day-of-the-week effect: South African stock market indices

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elda du Toit ◽  
John Henry Hall ◽  
Rudra Prakash Pradhan
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Garch Model ◽  
Statistical Technique ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Johannesburg Stock Exchange ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Day Of The Week ◽  
Micro Level

Purpose The presence of a day-of-the-week effect has been investigated by many researchers over many years, using a variety of financial data and methods. However, differences in methodology between studies could have led to conflicting results. The purpose of this paper is to expand on an existing study to observe whether an analysis of the same data set with some added years and using a different statistical technique provide the same results. Design/methodology/approach The study examines the presence of a day-of-the-week effect on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) indices for the period March 1995-2016, using a GARCH model. Findings The findings show that, contrary to the original study, the day-of-the week effect is present in both volatility and return equations. The highest and lowest returns are observed on Monday and Friday, respectively, while volatility is observed on all five days from Monday to Friday. Originality/value This study adds to the existing literature on day-of-the-week effect of JSE indices, where different patterns or, in some cases, no pattern have been noted. Few previous studies on the day-of-the-week effect observed the effect at micro-level for separate industries or made use of a GARCH model. The present study thus expands on the study of Mbululu and Chipeta (2012), by adding four additional observation years and using a different statistical technique, to observe differences that arise from a different time period and statistical technique. The results indicate that a day-of-the-week effect is mostly a function of the statistical technique applied.

scholarly journals The effect of industry nuances on the relationship between corporate governance and financial performance: Evidence from South African listed companies

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonty Tshipa ◽  
Leon M. Brummer ◽  
Hendrik Wolmarans ◽  
Elda Du Toit
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Financial Performance ◽  
South African ◽  
Resource Dependence ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Listed Companies ◽  
Company Performance ◽  
Johannesburg Stock Exchange ◽  
Good Corporate Governance ◽  
The Relationship

Background: Premised on agency, resource dependence and stewardship theories, the study investigates empirically the existence of industry nuances in the relationship between corporate governance and financial performance of companies listed in the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Aims: The main objective of the study is to understand the relationship between internal corporate governance and company performance from the perspective of three distinct economic periods, as well as industry nuances, cognisant of endogeneity issues. Setting: South Africa, as an emerging African market, offers an interesting research context in which the corporate governance and financial performance nexus can be examined empirically. Method: A sample of 90 companies from the five largest South African industries, covering a 13-year period from 2002 to 2014 (1170 firm-year observations) was examined with three estimation approaches. Results: Two key trends emerged from this study. First, the relationship between corporate governance and company performance differed from industry to industry. Second, the association between corporate governance and company performance also changes during steady and non-steady periods, which is an indication that the nexus is driven by the state of the global economy and the type of the industry. Conclusion: Evidence from the study suggests that companies should be allowed to optimise rather than maximise their corporate governance options. This finding questioned the approach of the recently published King IV Code of Good Corporate Governance, which requires Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed companies to ‘apply and explain’ as opposed to ‘apply or explain’ as pronounced by King III Code of Good Corporate Governance.

scholarly journals Strategy and performance of South African listed family companies

1980 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-8
Author(s):  
Rob Mackintosh
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Development ◽  
South African ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Share Price ◽  
Business Policy ◽  
Johannesburg Stock Exchange ◽  
Professional Management ◽  
Small Base ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Business Family

An impressive body of theory on organizational development, performance, strategy and structure has developed over the last two decades. Much of what we know stems from direct observation (usually in the form of case-studies), first-hand experience, and common sense. Yet surprisingly little attempt has been made to test the theories and provide an empirical base with which to confirm or reject the theories. This study suggests that the traditional theories of organizational development are vindicated - that firms develop from entrepreneurial, family companies in the first stage to professional management in later stages. Furthermore, an analysis of share-price movements suggests that single business family companies on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange do not perform as well as those which adopt more diversified strategies. This study builds on the small base of previous research, and hopefully makes a contribution to our knowledge both in the academic/teaching sphere of business policy, and in the area of organizational change.'n Indrukwekkende versameling van teorie oor organisasieontwikkeling, en die prestasie, strategie en struktuur van ondernemings is oor die afgelope twee dekades ontwikkel. Ons kennis het ontstaan uit direkte waarneming (gewoonlik in die vorm van gevallestudies), eie ervaring, en gesonde verstand. Tog is min pogings aangewend om die teoriee te toets en 'n empiriese basis te skep waarvolgens die teoriee bevestig of verwerp kan word. Hierdie studie stel voor dat die tradisionele teoriee van organisasie-ontwikkeling geregverdig is - dat firmas van entrepreneuriele familie-ondernemings in die eerste stadium, tot professionele bestuur in latere stadia ontwikkel. Verder dui 'n ontleding van aandeleprys-bewegings aan dat enkelbedryf familiemaatskappye op die Johannesburgse Aandelebeurs nie so goed vertoon as die wat meer gediversifiseerde strategiee aanvaar het nie. Hierdie studie bou voort op die klein basis van vorige navorsing, en maak hopelik 'n bydrae tot kennis sowel in die akademiese/onderrigsfeer van bestuursbeleid, as op die gebied van organisasieverandering.

scholarly journals The readability of integrated reports

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 629-653 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elda du Toit
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Integrated Reporting ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Johannesburg Stock Exchange ◽  
New Findings ◽  
African Context ◽  
Informed Reader

Purpose This is an exploratory study to investigate the readability of integrated reports. The aim of this paper is to assess whether integrated reports are accessible to their readership and add value to stakeholders. Design/methodology/approach Readability analyses are performed on the integrated reports of all companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange for 2015 and 2016. Readability results are compared by means of a correlation analysis to the results of the Ernst & Young Excellence in Integrated Reporting Awards for 2015. Findings The results show that the complex nature of the language used in integrated reports of listed companies impairs readability and, as an implication, affects the value stakeholders can derive from the information. The results from the correlation with the Ernst & Young Excellence in Integrated Reporting Awards indicate that an integrated report is considered of higher quality if it is written using complex language. Research limitations/implications The main limitation of the study lies in its exclusively South African setting, which is the only country where integrated reports are recommended as part of stock exchange listings requirements. Another limitation is the fact that integrated reports are mainly aimed at informed users and is thus compiled with the informed reader in mind, which impacts on general readability. Practical implications The results present new findings regarding integrated reporting practice, which is of interest to firms, investors, regulators, amongst others. The findings show how the value-added by integrated reports could be improved. Originality/value This study is the first to investigate the readability of integrated reports in a South African context. The results indicate that integrated reports are difficult to read and are only useful to a portion of the total intended population.

South African mining rules will mar investment climate

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Economic Transformation ◽  
Investment Climate ◽  
Mining Company ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Third ◽  
Johannesburg Stock Exchange

Significance Zwane released the third review of the 2004 Mining Charter on June 15. After the release, mining company shares on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange lost 50.69 billion rand (3.93 billion dollars) in value. The Chamber of Mines, the industry's representative body, has signalled that it will seek a court interdict, citing insufficient consultation on the revised Charter's contents. Impacts Zwane’s handling of the Charter will further worsen poor relations between business and government. New Minister of Finance Malusi Gigaba will struggle to reassure investors and ratings agencies of policy continuity. The Charter could exacerbate divisions between ANC factions over proposals to pursue ‘radical economic transformation’.

Anti-persistence and long-memory behaviour of SAREITs

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 356-368
Author(s):  
Kolawole Ijasan ◽  
George Tweneboah ◽  
Jones Odei Mensah
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Long Memory ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Fractional Integration ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Johannesburg Stock Exchange ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Fractional Differencing ◽  
Trading Mechanism ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide empirical evidence on the long-memory behaviour of South African real estate investment trusts (SAREITs). Design/methodology/approach The study employs a battery of advanced techniques to examine the behaviour of returns of 29 SAREIT equities listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. The authors analysed daily closing prices covering different periods up to 21 May 2016. The results provide support for long memory in majority of SAREIT returns. Findings The finding of negative fractional integration parameters provides evidence of anti-persistence in SAREIT returns. Practical implications It is recommended that the regulatory authorities adopt technologies that allow a more effective, faster means to disseminate information, and improve the electronic trading mechanism that facilitates quicker price adjustment to news entering the market. Originality/value The paper determines the fractional differencing (long-memory) parameter for SAREITs and adds value to the existing body of knowledge.

scholarly journals A Review Of The Determinants Of Long Run Share Price And Operating Performance Of Initial Public Offerings On The Johannesburg Stock Exchange

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chimwemwe Chipeta ◽  
Adrian Jardine
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Initial Public Offerings ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Operating Performance ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
International Investment ◽  
Share Price ◽  
Public Offerings ◽  
Johannesburg Stock Exchange ◽  
Long Run

This paper provides some new evidence on the determinants of long run operating and share price performance of Initial Public Offerings (IPO) on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). It has been hypothesised that the information contained in the pre listing documents could shed some light on the aftermarket performance of South African IPO shares. In line with previous literature, South African IPO shares significantly underperformed the market on average. Additionally, there is a statistically significant negative relationship between IPO Volume and long run performance, suggesting that the South African IPO market may be subject to the fads and over optimism theory of Ritter (1991). The overoptimism hypothesis is further cemented by a negative correlation between pre IPO revenue forecast and aftermarket operating performance. Listing expenses play a moderate role in the reduction of the aftermarket performance of IPOs on the JSE. However, it appears that international investment banks have a positive influence on the aftermarket performance of IPOs on the JSE. Likewise, firms audited by the BIG 4 audit firms tend to perform well in terms of aftermarket buy and hold returns. Large firms at the time of listing tend to perform well and firms with high growth prospects at the time of listing generate a negative and significant return on their investment in total assets. Although the contingent liabilities disclosed in the prelisting reports negatively influence most of the measurers of aftermarket performance, the relationship is, by and large, insignificant.

Sun International: can a blue ocean strategy change the future fortunes of this South African leisure group?

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
Shaun Vorster ◽  
Marius Ungerer
Keyword(s):  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
South African ◽  
Mission Statement ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Subject Area ◽  
Practical Application ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Johannesburg Stock Exchange ◽  
Strategy Change ◽  
Strategic Options

Subject area Tourism & Hospitality Study level/applicability Post graduate Case overview The South African-based Sun International Group (SI) develops, operates and manages hotels, resorts and casinos. In its mission statement, SI describes itself as a “leisure group offering superior gaming, hotel and entertainment experiences”. In 1984, SI was listed in the travel and leisure sector on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. SI is looking for growth opportunities. Expected learning outcomes Strategic options analysis to create new market spaces. Practical application of blue ocean thinking frameworks. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email [email protected] to request teaching notes.

scholarly journals The relationship between remuneration and financial performance for companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elize Kirsten ◽  
Elda Du Toit
Keyword(s):  
Financial Performance ◽  
South African ◽  
Executive Director ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Share Price ◽  
Executive Directors ◽  
Best Interest ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Johannesburg Stock Exchange ◽  
The Relationship

Background: The executive directors of a company are the agents of the shareholders and should manage the company in the best interest of the shareholders, not only for personal gain. It is therefore important for companies to ensure that they implement remuneration policies which will result in motivated employees who will execute decisions and actions which are in the best interest of the shareholders. However, it is widely acknowledged that the relationship between company performance and executive remuneration is weak. This implies that executives are still rewarded excessive remuneration regardless of the performance of their companies. Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine whether a relationship exists between the performance-based remuneration of executive directors and the financial performance of South African companies. Setting: The study was conducted in South Africa, specifically on companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Methods: The study design was quantitative and made use of a Pearson correlation and generalised least squares regression with bootstrapping at a 95% confidence interval to analyse the relationship between executive director remuneration and the financial performance of 42 companies in the consumer goods and services industry of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) from 2006 to 2015. Results: The study established that the remuneration policies in place for South African executive directors within the consumer goods and services industry seem to be affected by the share price of the company. Conclusion: In the South African environment, executive director remuneration is thus not directly related to profitability or company size, as was the case in some earlier studies. The link between executive director remuneration and share performance may be an indication that remuneration policies are based on the share price and are thus directly connected to the principle of shareholder wealth maximisation.

Post-recession share repurchase behaviour by JSE-listed companies: transparent or not?

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 465-486
Author(s):  
Gretha Steenkamp ◽  
Nicolene Wesson
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Real Time ◽  
South African ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Listed Companies ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Share Repurchases ◽  
Share Repurchase ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Johannesburg Stock Exchange

PurposeShare repurchases are increasingly employed in South Africa. Disclosure on share repurchases in annual reports is poor, and a high percentage of share repurchases are not announced in real time on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). A comprehensive database of share repurchases by JSE-listed companies has been created up to 2009, but post-recession repurchase behaviour is not known. This study aims to examine South African share repurchase behaviour (activity, repurchase entity, repurchase type and transparency) in the post-recession period and compare this to the 2000–2009 period.Design/methodology/approachComprehensive share repurchase data for all JSE-listed companies (excluding those in the basic materials and financial industries) were obtained by scrutinising annual reports and JSE announcements.FindingsThe repurchasing of shares reached a peak during the financial recession of 2008/2009, with share repurchases stabilising at a lower level post-recession. Repurchases executed by subsidiaries have decreased post-recession, probably owing to the introduction of dividends tax. However, 45% of the share repurchase value was not announced via the JSE (compared to 22% in 2000–2009).Practical implicationsReal-time JSE announcements of all share repurchases are required to improve transparency.Originality/valueOwing to low announcement rates, a lack of transparency relating to share repurchases was observed in South Africa post-recession. Enhanced corporate governance requirements could improve transparency.

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