Is there a Ramadhan effect onShariamutual funds? Evidence from Indonesia and Malaysia

Purpose - This paper aims to examine whetherShariamutual fund managers are able to gain abnormal returns from what is called the Ramadhan effect. Design/methodology/approach - The authors use GARCH regression on daily data of domesticShariamutual fund performance in Indonesia and Malaysia over the period of 2007-2017. Findings - The authors find that the Ramadhan effect is not a strong predictor ofShariafund excess return in Indonesia and Malaysia, and they identify a positive Ramadhan abnormal return on the Malaysia Sharia Equity Fund. This result shows there is size effect on sharia fund excess return in Indonesia and value effect on Sharia Balanced Fund in both markets. It is suggested that the effect of market excess return in Indonesia is stronger than in Malaysia. Research limitations/implications - The samples are limited to Sharia Funds over the period 2007-2017. Practical implications - The authors suggest that size and value effect could be considered to develop the selection and timing strategies to explore the Ramadhan effect. Originality/value - This study focuses on Indonesia and Malaysia, the two largest Islamic Stock Markets in Southeast Asia and examines specific on Sharia Mutual Fund (equity and balanced fund). It also compares differences in total performance measures between the Ramadhan period and non-Ramadhan period.