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Heads we win, tails you lose: Is there equity in Islamic equity funds?

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  • Kamil, Nazrol K.M.
  • Alhabshi, Syed O.
  • Bacha, Obiyathulla I.
  • Masih, Mansur

Abstract

We made the first estimate of the proportion of fund alpha statistically attributable to luck rather than skill for a sample of Malaysian Islamic equity funds. Broadly, the funds do not outperform market benchmarks. In the limited instances where performance is superior, based on a contemporary methodology, as much as 47% of the observed positive fund alpha is statistically attributable to luck. Thus, at 5% significance level, we find only 1.95% of our funds to be genuinely skilled. Our findings raise questions regarding the equitability of these funds levying fixed fees, making a case for potential innovation in fund remuneration structure.

Suggested Citation

  • Kamil, Nazrol K.M. & Alhabshi, Syed O. & Bacha, Obiyathulla I. & Masih, Mansur, 2014. "Heads we win, tails you lose: Is there equity in Islamic equity funds?," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 28(C), pages 7-28.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:pacfin:v:28:y:2014:i:c:p:7-28
    DOI: 10.1016/j.pacfin.2013.09.004
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    Cited by:

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    3. Cynthia W. Cai & Martina K. Linnenluecke & Mauricio Marrone & Abhay K. Singh, 2019. "Machine Learning and Expert Judgement: Analyzing Emerging Topics in Accounting and Finance Research in the Asia–Pacific," Abacus, Accounting Foundation, University of Sydney, vol. 55(4), pages 709-733, December.
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    5. Khan, Abdullah & Rizvi, Syed Aun R. & Ali, Mohsin & Haroon, Omair, 2021. "A survey of Islamic finance research – Influences and influencers," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    6. Rania Makni & Olfa Benouda & Ezzedine Delhoumi, 2016. "International evidence on Islamic equity fund characteristics and performance persistence," Review of Financial Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(1), pages 75-82, November.
    7. Yi, Li & He, Lei, 2016. "False discoveries in style timing of Chinese mutual funds," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 194-208.
    8. Makni, Rania & Benouda, Olfa & Delhoumi, Ezzedine, 2016. "International evidence on Islamic equity fund characteristics and performance persistence," Review of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 31(C), pages 75-82.
    9. Dewandaru, Ginanjar & Masih, Rumi & Bacha, Obiyathulla Ismath & Masih, A. Mansur M., 2017. "The role of Islamic asset classes in the diversified portfolios: Mean variance spanning test," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(C), pages 66-95.
    10. Grira, Jocelyn & Labidi, Chiraz, 2021. "Banks, Funds, and risks in islamic finance: Literature & future research avenues," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 41(C).
    11. Huma Nawaz, 2019. "An investigation into factors that determine the growth rate in the Islamic banking and finance," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 5(1), pages 1-15, December.
    12. Yilmaz, Mustafa K. & Sensoy, Ahmet & Ozturk, Kevser & Hacihasanoglu, Erk, 2015. "Cross-sectoral interactions in Islamic equity markets," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 32(C), pages 1-20.
    13. Dewandaru, Ginanjar & Bacha, Obiyathulla Ismath & Masih, A. Mansur M. & Masih, Rumi, 2015. "Risk-return characteristics of Islamic equity indices: Multi-timescales analysis," Journal of Multinational Financial Management, Elsevier, vol. 29(C), pages 115-138.
    14. Dewandaru, Ginanjar & Masih, Rumi & Bacha, Obiyathulla Ismath & Masih, A. Mansur. M., 2015. "Combining momentum, value, and quality for the Islamic equity portfolio: Multi-style rotation strategies using augmented Black Litterman factor model," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 205-232.
    15. Naz, Iram & Shah, Syed Muhammad Amir & Kutan, Ali M., 2017. "Do managers of sharia-compliant firms have distinctive financial styles?," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 174-187.
    16. Hammami, Yacine & Oueslati, Abdelmonem, 2017. "Measuring skill in the Islamic mutual fund industry: Evidence from GCC countries," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 15-31.
    17. Boo, Yee Ling & Ee, Mong Shan & Li, Bob & Rashid, Mamunur, 2017. "Islamic or conventional mutual funds: Who has the upper hand? Evidence from Malaysia," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 183-192.
    18. Ibrahim, Mansor H., 2015. "Issues in Islamic banking and finance: Islamic banks, Shari’ah-compliant investment and sukuk," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 185-191.
    19. Azmi, Wajahat & Mohamad, Shamsher & Shah, Mohamed Eskandar, 2020. "Ethical investments and financial performance: An international evidence," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 62(C).
    20. Dash, Saumya Ranjan & Maitra, Debasish, 2018. "Does Shariah index hedge against sentiment risk? Evidence from Indian stock market using time–frequency domain approach," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, Elsevier, vol. 19(C), pages 20-35.
    21. Hosen, Mosharrof & Masih, Mansur, 2017. "Are Islamic risk factors blessings or curse for stock return? evidence from Malaysia based on dynamic GMM and quantile regression approaches," MPRA Paper 79738, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    22. Narayan, Paresh Kumar & Phan, Dinh Hoang Bach, 2019. "A survey of Islamic banking and finance literature: Issues, challenges and future directions," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 484-496.
    23. Ali, Mohsin & Azmi, Wajahat, 2016. "Religion in the boardroom and its impact on Islamic banks' performance," Review of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 31(C), pages 83-88.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Islamic equity funds; Luck versus skill; Performance measurement;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models
    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • Z12 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Religion

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