Performance of IPOs During Covid-19 Pandemic and Factors Affecting Investors' Perception

Initial Public Offering (IPO) is a fund-raising tool through which a company gets listed for the first time under SEBI regulation and issues IPOs to raise funds from the public. The shift from a privately-owned to a publicly-owned firm via an IPO is the most significant event in a company's life (Pagano et al., 1998). In an IPO investment, there is limited historical data to analyze and predict the future performance of the company;hence it becomes a risky investment for the investors as they cannot predict how the shares will perform in the future. Most companies that go for an IPO are in the growth or expansion phase so it becomes more difficult to predict their market position and performance in the future, which leads to uncertainty in deriving their future value. Also, most IPOs are of companies going through a transitory growth period, and are therefore subject to additional uncertainty regarding their future value. This study analyzes the performance of the IPOs issued during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the markets across the world faced massive disruptions. The IPOs from various sectors like finance, technology, service, infrastructure, food, pharmaceutical and information technology were considered for the study. The study also analyzes the factors affecting investor perception towards investment in an IPO. The study considered the IPOs issued during the pandemic, and their performance on the listing day was measured by considering issue price, listing price and closing price. It was observed that 90% of the IPOs selected performed well during the listing day and 10% underperformed. It was also found that factors like company brand, company sector, fundamental analysis, company ratings, expert opinion and stock market conditions had a positive impact on the investors' decision to invest in an IPO. The study also revealed that factors like risk factor in primary market, returns on IPO on the listing day and Gray Market Premium have no significant impact on the investors' perception.

Sovereign Debt Crisis in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh: A Comparative Study

Using IMF's World Economic Outlook (WEO) data for the macroeconomic variables, this study comparatively examines the sovereign debt crises in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. It identifies different macroeconomic factors related to the sovereign debt crisis, investigates their interrelations, and explores if their debt crises are similar. It shows that the general revenue to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratios of Sri Lanka degraded to converge with the upgrading status of Bangladesh during the Covid-19 period. Since 2010, Sri Lanka has maintained a well-off economic status with per capita GDP, while Bangladesh has a long way to go yet. The general expenses to GDP ratio of Sri Lanka shows stresses on its GDP, while that of Bangladesh is more relaxed. Sri Lanka has overstressed debt to GDP ratio along with Balance of Payments (BOP) deficits, while Bangladesh has continued traces of managed debt to GDP ratio along with BOP surpluses. Bangladesh has taken enough precautions in their sovereign debt management, compared to Sri Lanka. Even in 2020, Bangladesh maintained progressive investment track over the threshold limit of 30%, while Sri Lanka fell into a debt trap. Following the pandemic, Bangladesh has enjoyed a gross national savings to GDP ratio of above the threshold of 25%, while Sri Lanka is going through a critical phase. It shows governance myopia of Bangladesh regarding its imbalanced current account positions, while governance myopia of Sri Lanka exists with reference to its imbalanced current account positions, adverse gross debts, and government borrowing as well.

Effect of Remittance Inflows on External Debt in Developing Countries

This paper analyzes the effect of remittance inflows on external debt in developing countries, by identifying international reserves as a potential transmission channel. Using panel data over the period 1970–2017 and covering 50 low-and middle-income countries worldwide, we find a positive and significant effect of remittance inflows on the external debt-to-GDP ratio. We also find a negative and significant effect of international reserves on external debt. After controlling for international reserves, the effect of remittance inflows on external debt increases;it remains positive and significant. The results suggest that the role of international reserves as a self-insurance mechanism, and the Dutch disease effect related to remittance inflows are at play. In addition, we find negative and significant effects of economic growth and savings-investment gap on external debt. We also find positive and significant effects of the nominal exchange rate and the United States lending interest rate on external debt. We discuss the policy implications of these findings, while highlighting factors that policymakers should focus on for containing external debt in developing countries in the post-COVID-19.

Trade-based money laundering and informal remittance services: implications on the sustainability of the balance of payments of a small open economy

PurposeThis study aims to discuss the consequences of trade-based money laundering (TBML) and informal remittance services on the sustainability of the position of balance of payments and net foreign assets of a small open economy.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses a case study design using facts related to TBML and informal remittance services on the balance of payment and net foreign assets of Sri Lanka.FindingsThe contextual analysis reveals that the growth of the informal economy promotes informal remittance services in Sri Lanka. The policy decision to peg local currency to US dollars as a result of a shortage of foreign exchange had forced people to use informal channels for different purposes. The unclear and vague customer due diligence process of the anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) regime also has forced people to use informal remittance services. Criminals especially drug traffickers have grabbed the promoted informal remittance services to transfer proceeds from Sri Lanka to overseas drug suppliers. On the other hand, systematic deficiencies in monitoring and regulation of movement of fund transfers and merchandise across borders provide opportunities for criminals to use different TBML techniques to transfer funds. These limitations force policymakers and regulators to think of developing a comprehensive payment ecosystem to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing. Therefore, the global initiative is required to move towards a payment ecosystem from a recommendation-based AML/CFT regime to reduce global crimes.Research limitations/implicationsThis study was designed to discuss the implications of TBML and informal remittance services on the balance of payments and net foreign assets in a small open economy. The structure and size of the economy, the strength of the overall economy and the AML/CFT regime will play an important role in controlling criminal activities and combating money laundering of an economy;hence, the impact of TBML and informal remittance services will vary accordingly across the countriesOriginality/valueThis paper is an original work done by the authors, which discusses the implications of TBML and informal remittance services on the balance of payments and net foreign assets of an emerging market context.

O desempenho das empresas brasileiras com melhor atuação socioambiental na crise da COVID-19

Resumo Esta pesquisa analisa se empresas com melhores práticas socioambientais (ES) apresentam melhor desempenho que as demais empresas em momentos de crise. Utilizamos o choque exógeno causado pela pandemia da COVID-19 como estratégia de identificação. A amostra consiste de empresas brasileiras de capital aberto negociadas na B3, a bolsa brasileira. Os resultados mostram que firmas com maiores notas ES tiveram, durante o primeiro semestre de 2020, retornos anormais significativamente mais altos, menores volatilidades e melhores desempenhos operacionais medidos pelo ROA, margem operacional e giro de ativo. Nossos resultados contribuem para a literatura ao mostrarem que o investimento em boas práticas socioambientais desempenham um papel positivo nas empresas brasileiras, especialmente em períodos de crise.Alternate :This study investigates whether companies with superior environmental and social practices (ES) perform better than other companies in times of crisis. We use the exogenous shock caused by the COVID-19 pandemic as an identification strategy. The sample consists of Brazilian companies publicly traded on B3, the Brazilian stock exchange. Results show that, during the first semester of 2020, firms with higher ES scores had significantly higher abnormal returns, lower volatility, and better operating performance as measured by ROA, operational margin, and asset turnover. We show that investment in good environmental and social practices can benefit Brazilian companies in times of crisis.

Lifestyle audits in South Africa – overrated or X-factor?

PurposePresident Cyril Ramaphosa, in his 2018 State of the Nation Address, stated that "Thieves who are stealing public funds should be arrested and prosecuted”, and called for lifestyle audits of public-sector employees. The gross misuse of COVID-19 relief funds by public officials indicated the urgent need to execute these audits as an anti-corruption measure. This paper aims to provide a review of the existing state of affairs with regard to the application of lifestyle audits in South Africa.Design/methodology/approachThis paper critically analyses the literature available on the current position of South Africa concerning lifestyle audits in the public sector, based on the mandates of some of the anti-corruption agencies that could be responsible for the conducting and processing of such audits.FindingsSouth Africa has only recently seen a framework for applying lifestyle audits, developed by the Department of Public Service and Administration. Although these first steps in developing a standard practice are laudable, the practical process of dealing with misconduct and/or criminal matters remains to be seen. It is recommended that South Africa consider a legislative approach to dealing with unlawfully obtained wealth by either criminalising the act of illicit enrichment (per the United Nations Convention Against Corruption) or creating an Unexplained Wealth Order, as seen, for example, in the UK.Originality/valueSouth Africa is in dire need of addressing corruption in the public sector. Despite lifestyle audits being called for, the lack of proper implementation is negating any positive outcomes. Therefore, alternative solutions should be investigated.

Measuring global pandemic governance: how countries respond to COVID-19

Covid-19 is an unprecedented crisis that faces the majority of governments around the world. The pandemic has resulted in substantial changes to government work cultures, financial management, and the implementation of good governance. The paper has shown how these governments react to the crisis caused by Covid-19. We analyse strategy, policy, and financial management when facing Covid-19 and give a result that will contribute to the development of crisis governance field. In this article, we argue that the most successful action in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in high income, upper-middle income, and lower-middle income countries is guided by the implementation of good governance principles. Data used in this research was obtained from the World Health Organization and the World Bank. The results indicate that countries that have been able to manage the COVID-19 pandemic have good governance indicators, such as voice and accountability, political stability and absence of violence/terrorism, government effectiveness, regulatory quality, rule of law, and control of corruption.

Setting up of Bad Bank – A New Era Begins

During Covid 19 pandemic, Public Sector Banks (PSBs) experience the high and increasing level of gross non performing assets. This is as high as 14 per cent which is matter of concern to all stakeholders. Consequently, these banks to witness high provisioning, low capital base and dismal credit growth. To arrest the trends in stressed assets, existing recovery channels including Insolvency Bankruptcy Code have not produced the desired results. Hence, the Government has recently taken a bold decision to set up a Bad Bank and provide the sovereign guarantee to security receipts issued by the Bad Bank upon purchase of stressed assets from PSBs. The Bad Bank aims at buying stressed assets, restructure them successfully and, thereafter, to sell the same to investors which would facilitate the PSBs to clean their balance sheet and strengthen the capital base. While there is enough business potential for the Bad Bank in the near future, its success will depend on purchase price of assets transferred, expertise in management of distressed assets, business model and presence of a conducive environment to operate. It is hoped that, during the post pandemic, the Bad Bank would prove to be the best option for revival of stressed assets and enable PSBs to lend optimally for productive purposes. Towards this end, before the Bad Bank starts functioning, there is a dire need to create awareness of the same by understanding its background, organization structure, business model and emerging challenges.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Quality of Financial Reports

The Corona Virus Disease pandemic has significant adverse effects on the economy, health, and society that have hampered global economic growth. Taiwan is one of the countries impacted by this pandemic. The pandemic had an enormous influence on the world economy, making the role of financial report quality an even more critical issue. This study aims to examine and evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the quality of financial reports. Additionally, it intends to examine and evaluate the differences between the impact of audit opinion and audit quality on the quality of financial reports before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study adopts secondary data, i.e., annual financial reports and audit quality data of public listing firms on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE). Furthermore, this study selected data from 2016 to 2021. This study proves that the COVID-19 pandemic affects the quality of financial reports. Furthermore, this study suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic strengthens the negative impacts of audit opinion on the quality of financial reports using accrual earnings management proxies. However, it also shows that the audit quality did not impact the quality of financial reports proxied by accrual and real earnings management at the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Micro Finance in India - Emerging Challenges

For promoting financial inclusion in India, both banks and Non-Banking Finance Companies - Micro Finance Institutions (NBFC-MFIs) play a pivotal role by providing microfinance to individuals and tiny enterprises. There are 187 lending institutions in India engaged in providing microfinance of more than Rs.2.27 lakh crore. Today, microfinance activity is more technology driven to ensure adequate, timely and hassle free financial services. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the sector suffered significantly due to lack of demand for credit and increasing loan defaults. Hence, RBI announced certain measures including debt restructuring to provide relief for stressed micro loan customers and creating more liquidity in the market. Post the pandemic, there are enough business opportunities for the microfinance sector to prosper. However, the age old issues such as lack of due diligence in lending, over-indebtedness and multiple borrowing by customers and unethical recovery practices need to be addressed. Therefore, there is a need to make microfinance activity more digital, promote financial literacy, strengthen risk management systems, upgrade skills of the field level staff and formulate an effective grievance redressal system. Towards this end, the article attempts to review the performance of the microfinance sector at a time when India is currently celebrating the 75th year of Independence and offer suggestions to strengthen the microfinance sector in the country.

Reinstating fiscal policy for normal times: Public investment and Public Jobs Programmes

This paper upholds the classical Keynesian position that a laissez-faire market economy lacks a spontaneous tendency to full employment. Focusing on the UK case, it argues that monetary policy could not prevent the economic collapse of 2008-9 or achieve full recovery from the Great Recession that followed. The paper then outlines the case for fiscal policy to regain a permanent status of primacy in modern macroeconomic management, beyond the pandemic emergency. It distinguishes between public investment and automatic stabilisers, reducing discretionary actions to a minimum. It presents the case for re-empowering the State'spublic investment function and for reforming the system of automatic counter-cyclical stabilisers by means of public jobs programmes.

Do women on boards enhance firm performance? Evidence from top Indian companies

This paper examines whether gender diversity (GD) on corporate boards influences financial performance (FP) of Indian firms using System Generalized Methods of Moments (GMM) methods by considering panel data of 364 firms during 2017 to 2021, comprising of 1820 firm-year observations. The study reveals that the mere presence of a woman director (WD) on boards makes no difference in financial performance. Presence of WDs as a significant portion of the boards and their active roles in the functioning and governance of companies positively contribute to firms' financial performances and economic value creation. Regarding other governance parameters, the study shows that larger boards do not necessarily improve firm performance. Also, independent directors do not necessarily add value to corporate performance and value creation. While a higher promoter's stake is an important factor for Indian companies to drive corporate performance, firms with separate CEO and chairperson outperform firms with CEO duality. The study also reveals that the covid 19 pandemic has negatively influenced the financial performance and economic profit generation of the Indian firms. This study is important for several reasons. First, this study considers the period (2017–2021) when Indian companies adopted new financial reporting practices (IND-AS) in line with International Financial Reporting System (IFRS), the mandatory quota system of women directors' appointment is implemented and new corporate governance norms are implemented. Hence, our study contributes to the literature by proving meaningful insights on the role of gender diversity and other corporate governance parameters on financial performance of Indian firms in the light of newly adopted accounting and financial reporting practices. Second, few previous India based studies have mostly used pooled OLS or fixed effect models, and did not address the endogeneity problem in different forms like Dynamic Endogeneity, Simultaneity, and Unobserved Heterogeneity. This paper addresses the endogeneity problem appropriately by using the system generalized method of moments (GMM) while modelling the relation between WDs and firms' FP. Therefore, the findings of this study are more reliable and unbiased and can be useful for effective policy making on gender diversity and corporate governance issues. Third, few prior studies which have looked into the role of WDs on FP of Indian firms, have mostly used return on assets (ROA), return on equity (ROE) and Tobin's Q as performance parameters. Here, in addition to ROA, ROE and Tobin's Q, we also use economic value added (EVA) as indicators of corporate performance to understand the role of WDs on economic value creation for companies. The EVA is considered as modern technique to measure the economic profit earned by a firm, and it has gained huge popularity among companies as an improved technique for measuring financial performance for companies. To the best of our knowledge, the role of WDs on economic value creation by firms has not been investigated before particularly in the Indian context. This is another unique contribution of this study. Fourth, the Covid 19 pandemic had impacted global economy severely and India was no exception. Financial performances of most Indian firms were negatively impacted due to the nationwide lockdown and uncertainties about production, revenue and earnings. This study considers both the pre and post Covid 19 pandemic period in examining our central research question using a year dummy. Therefore, our study also captures whether the covid 19 pandemic has actually impacted the financial performance of Indian firms, while modelling this relation. This is another valuable and unique contribution of this study to the literature. The findings of this study provide an understanding of how board gender diversity and other governance parameters influence financial performance of Indian firms in an emerging market context. The outcomes are also explained and aligned with the relevant policy implications in th light of recent Indian corporate governance norms and policies. These findings are useful to the companies and policymakers, as they can use these findings while designing effective boards, which can be useful in improving firm performance. Board of directors, investors, regulators, and policymakers can effectively use these findings to understand how gender diverse boards and other corporate governance parameters influence firms' financial performance under the concentrated ownership pattern.

Market Return Around the Clock: A Puzzle

We study how the market return depends on the time of the day using E-mini S&P 500 futures actively traded around the clock. Strikingly, 4 hours around European open account for the entire average market return. This period's returns have a 1.6 Sharpe ratio and remain high after transaction costs. Average returns are a noisy zero during the remaining 20 hours. High returns are consistent with European investors processing information accumulated overnight and thus resolving uncertainty. Indeed, uncertainty reflected by VIX futures prices rises overnight and falls around European open. The results are stronger during the 2020 COVID crisis.

INVESTIGATING THE OPTIMAL EXIT TIMING AND LEVERAGE DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS

This paper investigates the effectiveness of the corporate credit policies as a means of preventing market exit in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. A real options framework incorporating dynamic programming is employed to investigate the relationship between exit decisions, leverage ratio and productivity uncertainty. Our paper presents a novel approach to the exit problem in comparison to other attempts in early 2020. Taking into account the dynamics of firms, we allow for a variety of factors, such as productivity uncertainty, debt readjustment, liquidity constraints, and leverage level, to explain the optimal time for a firm to exit during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our results indicate that the corporate credit programs have a significant positive impact and suggests that a greater leverage ratio increases the likelihood of survival and delays the decision to exit.

THE MICROPRUDENTIAL STRESS TESTING FOR BANKING SYSTEM. A STUDY CASE ON ALGERIAN PRIVATE BANK, USING ACCOUNTING APPROACH

The aim of this article is to highlight the importance and effectiveness of stress testing as part of microprudential policy. We focus on microprudential stress testing to assess financial stability, the resilience and solvency of one important private bank in Algeria in the face of liquidity risk. Our empirical analysis adopts a bottom-up approach based on an accounting method. It studies the relationship between the bank solvency ratio (ratio cook) and bank portfolios, such as loans to the construction, trade, industry, and automotive sectors. Microeconomic stress tests assess the credit risk of a bank's loan portfolio by bottom-up accounting approach, applying eleven pessimistic and plausible multi-variable scenarios with potential risks. The tests introduce several types of microeconomic shocks into the scenarios, which are designed to replicate those that occurred during the global financial crisis. The tests results show that this private bank is highly resistant to liquidity risk, despite significant losses on its investment portfolio. The stress tests prove once again, and especially after the 2008 financial crisis, that they are indispensable tools in the management of banking risks and against systemic risks.

Sukuk and bond dynamics in relation to exchange rate

PurposeThis study aims to contribute by expanding the existing literature on Sukuk return and volatility and exploring the implications of the Sukuk-exchange rate interactions.Design/methodology/approachThis study examines the dynamic interactions of Sukuk with exchange rate in 15 countries, employing the Wavelet approach that considers both time and investment horizons.FindingsThe results reveal significant evolving coherence of Sukuk return and volatility with the underlying exchange rate. The relationship is more potent than what this study witnesses in their counterpart bond market. For Sukuk returns, the coherence is negative, whereas it is positive for volatility. Notably, the coherence is strong in the medium to long term and intensifies during extreme economic episodes, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings are further validated by comparing firm-level matched data for Sukuk and conventional bond.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study that reports the dynamic relationship of Sukuk return and volatility with the underlying exchange rate in 15 countries. Collectively, this study unites valuable insights for faith-based active Islamic investors and cross-border portfolio managers.

Russia–Ukrainian war: measuring the intraday risk dynamics of energy futures contracts using VaR and CVaR

PurposeThis paper investigates the influence of the ongoing crisis of Russia's incursion on Ukraine on the risk dynamics of energy futures contracts with high-frequency data on four different futures contracts using risk metrics of value at risk (VaR) and conditional value at risk (CVaR) for the USA market.Design/methodology/approachThe author used different generalised autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity - Extreme Value Theory (GARCH)-EVT models and compared the performance of each of the competing models. Backtesting evidence shows that VaR and CVaR combined with GARCH-EVT better estimate risk.FindingsThe study results show that combined risk metrics are efficient and adaptive to estimating the risk dynamics and backtesting of the models, revealing that the autoregressive moving average (ARMA) (1,1)-asymmetric power autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (APARCH) model performs relatively better than other models.Practical implicationsThe paper has practical implications for different market participants. From the risk manager's and day traders' angles, the market participants can estimate the risk exposure in the energy futures contract and take positions accordingly. The results are important for oil-importing countries due to the developing supply crisis and price escalation, which can brew inflation in the economy.Originality/valueTo the best of the author's knowledge, the paper is the first to throw light on the risk angle of energy futures contracts during the ongoing crisis of the Russia–Ukraine war.

Regime specific spillover between Dow Jones Islamic Market World Index, Islamic gold-backed crypto currencies and the blockchain halal index

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between Dow Jones Islamic Market World Index, Islamic gold-backed cryptocurrencies and halal chain in the presence of state (regime) dynamics.Design/methodology/approachThe authors have used the Markov-switching model to identify bull and bear market regimes. Moreover, the dynamic conditional correlation, the Baba, Engle, Kraft and Kroner- generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity and the wavelet coherence models are applied to detect the presence of spillover and contagion effects.FindingsThe findings indicate various patterns of spillover between halal chain, Dow Jones Islamic Market World Index and Islamic gold-backed cryptocurrencies in high and low volatility regimes, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Indeed, the contagion dynamics depend on the bull or bear periods of markets.Practical implicationsThese present empirical findings are important for current and potential traders in gold-backed cryptocurrencies in that they facilitate a better understanding of this new type of assets. Indeed, halal chain is a safe haven asset that should be combined with Islamic gold-backed cryptocurrencies for better performance in portfolio optimization and hedging, mainly during the COVID-19 period.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, this paper is the first research on the impact of the halal chain on the Dow Jones Islamic Market World Index return, Islamic gold-backed cryptocurrencies returns in the bear and bull markets around the global crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Determinants of Bank Management Confidence Level in Indonesia moderated by Bank Scale

This study examines the determinants of management confidence level of listed bank on the Indonesian Stock Exchange. The confidence level referred to confidence in deciding the deposit interest rate given to customers. The lower the interest rate compared to the other, the bank's management is more confident. This means that with lower deposit interest, management remains confident that customers remain loyal. This research used Model Panel Data to estimate determinants Banks Management Confidence Level in Indonesia moderated by Bank Scale. Banking ratio and macroeconomic data for period 2017 and 2021 become variable research in this paper. This research found that CAR and NPL has positive and significant effect on IETDR at level of Significant of 5%. Inflation and COVID have negative and significant effect on IETDR. Bank Scale or Bank Book as moderating variable could strength to IETDR for CAR and NPL.

Note bibliografiche: Schettino F. e Clementi F. (2022), Crisi, disuguaglianze e povertà. Le iniquità del capitalismo, da Lehman Brothers alla Covid-19, II edizione aggiornata, Napoli: La Città del Sole

Recensione a Schettino F. e Clementi F. (2022), Crisi, disuguaglianze e povertà. Le iniquità del capitalismo, da Lehman Brothers alla Covid-19, II edizione aggiornata, Napoli: La Città del SoleAlternate :Review of Schettino F. e Clementi F. (2022), Crisi, disuguaglianze e povertà. Le iniquità del capitalismo, da Lehman Brothers alla Covid-19, II edizione aggiornata, Napoli: La Città del Sole