The Causality Relationship between Energy Prices and Developed Countries Indices

The aim of this study is to determine the causality relationship between energy prices, which are among the most important inputs of the economy, and selected stock market indices of developed countries. Crude oil and natural gas are used as energy variables. G7 countries were selected to represent developed countries. Stock indices used in the study are Dow&Jones (USA), DAX (Germany), CAC40 (France), FTSE250 (England), FTSE Italia All-Share (Italy), NIKKEI225 (Japan), and S&P/TSX (Canada). In the study, Johansen (1988) cointegration test and Granger (1969) causality test were used to analyze the causality relationship between energy prices and selected stock market indices. The research could not find a long-term balance relationship between energy prices and developed country indices. Also, while the causality relationship was determined between crude oil prices and NIKKEI225, DAX, and CAC40 indices, a causal relationship between natural gas prices and Dow&Jones and FTSE250 indices was determined. In the study, it was found that energy prices can be used for diversification in investments to be made with stock market indices of developed countries. This study is one of the most comprehensive studies in the literature that examines the relationship between energy prices and the stock market indices of G7 countries. It is expected to contribute to the literature in this way.

Cash management strategies and firm financial performance

Cash(liquidity) management is at the heart of a firm’s financial management. It is a silver lining between the bankruptcy and the success story of a company. Therefore, this study intends to contribute some insights into cash management practices and how firms can use them to achieve sound financial performance. This study provides a comprehensive literature review on existing theories and cash management practices that are useful in decision making. After the analysis of the available literature, the study highlights important theories including tradeoff theory (TOT), transaction model, precautionary measures, financial hierarchy, and cash flow theory. Furthermore, management practices such as stochastic cash management model, speeding up cash collections, centralization & decentralization of management, asset portfolio diversification, and cash disbursement are discussed. The study suggests that a sound financial performance can be achieved through a hybrid approach and through adaptation and embracing innovations in cash management systems.

The analysis of drivers of operational risks in Nigerian commercial banks

Despite the institutionalization of operational risk management in banks and the strict supervision of bank regulators, operational risk events are still on the increase. It is becoming evident to banks that there is a need to identify the drivers of this risk and nib it at the root to reduce the probability of recurrence. Hence, this study examined the drivers of operational risks in Nigerian commercial banks and the extent to which each driver contributes to operational risk. To achieve the study’s objectives, primary data were collected from the Operational Risk Management Desks of six (6) sampled commercial banks and analyzed using SPSS and Microsoft Excel. The result showed that Internal processes, IT systems and Quality of Risk Officers are determinants of operational losses in banks. The internal process was however indicated as having the most impact. The study concluded that the Internal Process is the major driver of operational risk in Nigerian Commercial banks. The researcher, therefore, recommends that bank management must have defined procedures for core activities and prioritize regular review of their critical processes to reduce operational risk events and the associated costs.

Indirect investment and financial performance of the real estate sector in Nairobi County Kenya

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of indirect investment on the performance of real estate in Nairobi County Kenya. The independent variables for indirect investment were: investment trusts, exchange-traded funds, commingled funds, and infrastructure funds. The dependent variable was the performance of real estate in Nairobi County Kenya. Secondary data was collected from the real estate’s online sources and some from the company offices and analyzed using multiple regression analysis. Both descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were determined. The study was only able to collect secondary data from 45 real estate companies out of the target population of 69 registered by KPDA in 2015 as it was hard to get data of the rest either from online sources or from the company offices. With the aid of STATA 12.0 software and Excel software, quantitative results were tabulated and presented in the form of charts, bar graphs, and narratives. The study found an existing relationship between the performance of the real estate sector and the Investment Trust Fund, the Exchange Trust Fund, the Commingled Fund, Infrastructure Fund. The study concludes that most of the coefficients were significant. The study also concludes that there is a relationship between the performance of the real estate sector and the Investment Trust Fund, Exchange Trust Fund, Commingled Fund, Infrastructure Fund when these components are considered together they affect Performance

Venezuela foreseen economic path under fire

The paper provides analysis on one of the feeblest countries that was once one of the richest. The country is actually facing several economic and political crises. This crisis originated from the continuous communist economic system and its’ heavily dependence on oil as source of revenue. The dependence of oil and the absent of other sources put the country under high risk not for the country only but for the whole region. The paper provides an overview for the reasons for escalating the current situation and its implications on the neighbor countries and a conclusion reflecting the foreseen possible economic situations way out.

Linking firm performance with board diversity: A literature review

When we hear the word diversity, usually the first word that comes to mind is difference, and diversity steams from difference, in this paper, board diversity is discussed, in addition to linking it to firm performance, diversity is important, and it’s especially important in the board room of a given firm because it allows for different perspectives and opinions which can impact the decision-making process in the firm, which ultimately can affect the performance of the firm. The purpose of this paper is to give a relational guide on how board diversity can greatly impact the achievements of a firm. This paper is a theory-based study and aims to develop a critical approach of defining board diversity and linking that to the performance of the firm. This paper is a theory-based study because it utilizes the existing literature in order to determine the impact of board diversity on firm performance. This study also uses different theories and existing literature to highlight the relevance of having a diverse board in the firm. To find the relation, various studies and existing literature were analyzed to develop a critical approach to relate board diversity to firm performance. In conclusion, this paper outlines different aspects of board diversity while providing a critical look that allows us to assess the importance of board diversity and its connection to firm performance.

Islamic micro-finance review: A special topic in finance

The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of Islamic Microfinance and its application as a tool for poverty reduction, especially in developing countries. This system of financing serves as an alternative to the interest-based loans from conventional banks as well as conventional microfinance Institutions to the poor yet Islamic conscious millions of Muslims. This paper takes a descriptive approach and relied upon the available literature on Islamic Microfinance to highlight the different approaches used in different parts of the world. The conclusion from the review showed Islamic microfinance as doing well in poverty reduction, women empowerment, and being efficient in its operations.

How board diversity impact on company’s financial performance?

Countries’ policy changes on the improvement of female representation on board are in the spotlight of many researchers. In this paper studies current literature on board diversity, not specifically in gender but also ethnic, educational and cultural diversities, has been examined through their methodologies and findings. This study provides a summary of the empirical findings of necessary papers in this field and tries to assist researchers who are interested in this issue during their preliminary research.

Account representative roles, e- filling and MSMEs in tax compliance

MSMEs contribute more than 60% of economic growth. 99% of business operators in Indonesia are MSMEs. However, the contribution of MSMEs in tax revenue is still low. The government has sought to improve tax compliance for the MSME sector by existence an Account Representative position (AR) and an online reporting system, namely E Filling. This study aims to determine whether the role of Account representative (AR) and the use of E Filling can affect the compliance of MSMEs in reporting tax. The data used are MSMEs in the area of the Primary Tax Office in Duren Sawit. The number of questionnaires distributed were 120 and could be processed was 95 questionnaires. The analytical tool used is the Structure Equation Model (SEM). The results conclude that the value of the role of AR and the use of E Filling affect the compliance of MSMEs in reporting taxes partially and simultaneously

Tax revenue and private domestic investment

This paper investigated the impact of tax revenue on private domestic investment in Nigeria from 1980 to 2018 using the modified ordinary least squares- Autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL). The paper used oil revenue, non-oil revenue, and Corporate Income Tax (CIT) as the independent variables while Private Domestic Investment (PDI) is the dependent variable. Oil revenue and non-oil revenue were used as a proxy for oil and non-oil tax. These data were obtained from secondary sources- central Bank of Nigeria, World Bank database and Federal Inland Revenue service statistical bulletin. The result showed that a long-run relationship exists between the aforementioned variables. Also, the paper revealed that oil and non-oil do not have a significant impact on PDI but CIT has a positive and significant impact on PDI. The paper recommends that proper measures/reforms should be put in place in order to reduce the impact of tax on private domestic investment in Nigeria.