DOES COVID-19 AFFECT SHARIAH COMPLIANT STOCK? EVIDENCE FROM SELECTED OIC COUNTRIES

Abstract

This study aims to examine the movements of Islamic stock markets in ten selected OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) countries in relation to Covid-19 cases, providing a comprehensive analysis of market behavior during the pandemic. The countries—Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, Indonesia, Oman, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain—were chosen based on their large Muslim populations. Data was collected over a one-year period from January 1, 2020, to January 31, 2021, analyzing the relationship between Covid-19 cases and Islamic stock market indices. The study employed co-integration tests to identify long-term relationships and the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) to explore short-run dynamics. The co-integration test results show a significant long-run relationship between Covid-19 cases and Islamic stock markets in most of the selected OIC countries. Specifically, the Shariah indices in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain have a positive and significant relationship with Covid-19 cases. Conversely, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Oman exhibit a negative long-term relationship with Covid-19 cases, suggesting a different market response. These results suggest that countries with diversified economies, particularly those relying on natural resources such as oil and agriculture, were more resilient during the pandemic. This study provides novel insights into the unique responses of Islamic stock markets in OIC countries during the pandemic, highlighting regional differences in market behavior and recovery. It suggests that despite the global economic downturn, OIC countries present attractive investment opportunities, particularly due to their swift recovery and resource-based economies, offering a robust portfolio for investors during crises.