scholarly journals RELIGION AND FINANCE

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-84
Author(s):  
Ahmed Sameer El Khatib ◽  
Nahor Plácido Lisboa
Keyword(s):  
Financial Services ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Financial Services Industry ◽  
Sample Length ◽  
Critical Position ◽  
Screening Process ◽  
Back Testing ◽  
Services Industry ◽  
Ethical Investments ◽  
Equity Indices

Despite the increasing attention to ethical investments, the empirical studies on Islamic indices are scarce. The principles of Islamic indices are similar to those of other ethical indices in terms of the screening process; both of them are also characterized by their short histories. So, after Islamic indices were introduced in the late nineties, many financial markets and index providers launched their own Islamic indices for investors looking for investment opportunities without compromising their beliefs. Analysing the financial performance of Islamic equity indices from all relevant providers, we document these indices to outperform their conventional benchmarks on a global and developed market level after controlling for investment styles and a potential back-testing bias. To explain this outperformance puzzle, we investigate fundamental (i.e., risk factors), behavioural (i.e., Ramadan) and research design (i.e., sample length) related explanations but the overall results persist. When eliminating the effect of the financial services industry from conventional benchmarks, however, the outperformance of all indices except the Dow Jones Islamic Market (DJIM) world index disappears. This implies that Islamic equity indices have outperformed due to their critical position towards risk-free interest and the financial services industry. We conclude that they represent a viable alternative for risk-averse passive investors, especially during periods of high uncertainty around financial services. Further research is needed to fully understand the abnormally good performance of the DJIM.

scholarly journals Relating Cost Efficiency and Profitability of Merged Firms in the Kenyan Financial Services Industry

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 138
Author(s):  
Agnes Ogada ◽  
George Achoki ◽  
Amos Njuguna
Keyword(s):  
Financial Services ◽  
Cost Efficiency ◽  
Economies Of Scale ◽  
Panel Data Analysis ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Financial Services Industry ◽  
Return On Assets ◽  
Services Industry

<p>Theory holds that firms merge to benefit from economies of scale, diversification and synergy, which are realized through cost efficiency. Empirical studies on the other hand report mixed findings with regard to the theoretical underpinnings given the changing financial and technological environment. This paper sought to determine the cost efficiency ratios of merged firms in the Kenyan financial services industry and establish the effect that those ratios have on profitability (inferred using the rates of return on assets and equity). Using a mixed research design, pre and post-merger secondary data was collected from 41 firms in the Kenyan financial services industry that had concluded their merger processes by 31 December 2013. Primary data was used to explain the results of the secondary data. Panel data analysis was used to determine the change in the study variables and trends over between 2009 and 2013, event window (pre-merger and post-merger) analysis was used to test the difference in cost efficiency means before and after the merger while regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between cost efficiency and profitability. Results indicate that cost efficiency improved after merger and resulted to the growth in the rate of return on assets and equity, which was attributed to the efficiency in the use of labour, financial resources and managerial effort.</p>

Distribution of financial services

1993 ◽  
Vol 120 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-65
Author(s):  
A. K. Gupta ◽  
G. Westall
Keyword(s):  
Financial Services ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Price Sensitivity ◽  
Financial Services Industry ◽  
Future Trends ◽  
Pricing Policy ◽  
Services Industry

AbstractThe historic barriers between the different companies which comprise the financial services industry are breaking down. In order that organisations may prosper in the new environment the relationships between products, distribution and clients need to be understood. A theory is developed to explain the historic position and the dynamics of the current environment and indicate future trends. The conclusion is that successful organisations will be those which fully understand and specialise in a limited number of sectors, and those who start with a clientbase and a distribution system which will not inhibit the introduction of other distribution methods so that they can become multi-product and multi-distribution organisations. Finally, the paper explores the relationships between pricing policy and distribution by means of distribution chains to determine the point and degree of price sensitivity.

Affluent and Nonaffluent Consumers′ Needs: Attitudes, and Information‐Seeking Behaviour in the Financial Services Marketplace

1990 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 41-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward G. Thomas ◽  
S.R. Rao ◽  
Rajshekhar G. Javalgi
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Discriminant Analysis ◽  
Survey Data ◽  
Financial Institutions ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Financial Services Industry ◽  
Market Segments ◽  
Information Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Services Industry

Considers the proliferation of products and services in the financial services industry aimed at different market segments. Highlights the affluent and nonaffluent market segments. Employs statistical analysis of survey data to evaluate the financial services needs, attitudes, and information‐seeking behaviour of these segments. Suggests implications for the managers of financial institutions, based on the study findings. Includes appendices on methodology and discriminant analysis used in the study.

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