<p>This study tests the validity of the weak-form EMH on the Canadian TSX equity market using seven TSX daily index returns. Quantitatively, a variety of statistical tests is used to test for the randomness of return series. Results of the common statistical (i.e., the autocorrelation, the BG, the runs) tests all suggest that returns are serially correlated, except returns on the TSX 60 capped index. After rejecting the RWM of TSX indices using univariate unit root (i.e., ADF, PP, KPSS), we proceed to test for the possibility of nonlinear dynamic patterns present in return series. BDS results reject an IID underlying residual series after fitting AR(2) to TSX daily index returns, indicating that a deterministic chaotic process describes the data well. This finding of a temporal dependency is supported also by results of the R/S analysis, which indicates that all TSX index returns possess long-memory properties of an anti-persistent trend-reversing behaviour with two indices showing stronger degree of anti-correlation and five indices showing weaker degree of anti-correlation. Overall, results uniformly reject the RWM governing TSX equity index returns, implying that the Canadian equity market is weak-form inefficient.</p>

The co-operative sector plays an important role in a country's socio-economic development. This paper evaluated the financial performance of 9 selected Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies (SACCOSs) in Botswana by analysing audited financial statements of a five-year period from 2008 to 2012. The analytical techniques used include descriptive statistics of financial aggregates and ratios, correlation, regression and common size analyses. The financial aggregates analysed included all items that impact income generation as well as items that represent the financial position of the selected societies. The findings underscored that the selected SACCOSs achieved good financial results and were in strong financial position. The results also indicated a significant relationship between Net Profit ratio and Capital Employed Ratio to inform that the Net Profit Ratio was the most important explainer of Return on Capital Employed. The 5 year common size analysis also revealed a growth in income and in the financial status of the selected societies. The capital structure of these societies was characterised by substantial share of internal funds. Conclusively, maintaining an optimal balance between the interest on loans and interest on members' savings, and investing extra cash in diversified portfolio to reduce the risk levels would make the SACCOSs grow and function more productively and profitably. They would also then succeed in attracting more members and thereby significantly contribute towards poverty reduction and economic diversification drives in the country.

This paper examines the efficiency of Botswana's capital market by testing the presence of random walk (RW) behavior in the Domestic

This study examines the impacts of the stock market development on economic growth using Botswana as a case study. The study uses times series data covering a decade from 2006 to 2016. The method of analysis used is the Auto regressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds model. The stock market capitalization ratio (MCR) was used as a proxy for market size while value of shares traded ratio (ST) and Turnover ratio (TR) were used as a proxy for liquidity, collectively representing stock market development. Real gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate was used to represent economic growth .The results show that market capitalization and turnover ratio have a negative correlation with economic growth, while the value of shares traded has a strong positive correlation with economic growth. This result implies that liquidity has propensity to stimulate economic growth in Botswana. The results of this study also found that there exists no causality relationship between stock market development and economic growth. The government should make policies that boost the interest of domestic investors in Botswana as this might spur investors' interest and boost stock market activity which will improve liquidity and therefore stimulate economic growth.

The study was premised on assessing the existing customer perceptions towards online retailing in Botswana. In particular, the study used University of Botswana staff and students as a case study. Data for this study was collected through questionnaires given to students and staff of the University of Botswana. Descriptive statistics and Independent t-tests were used to analyse the results. The results from this study indicate that consumers in the University of Botswana utilise traditional shopping more than online shopping. Though accessible by people of all income, online shopping is perceived to be risky and needs a skillful internet user. Delivery concerns, technology specific innovativeness and financial risk were found to negatively influence online shopping behavior. On the other hand, subjective norms, good return policy and convenience were found to positively influence online shopping behavior. The findings from this study provide a first glance at existing customer perceptions in Botswana which should encourage further and more extensive research to yield more generalizable results that reflect consumer perceptions. Local retailers or businesses will find these results useful as these will help them narrow their focus on how to sway consumers to use their online shops.

No abstract

No abstract

The main objective of this study is to examine the effect of dividend pay-out on the prices of stock in Botswana’s equity market as well as the effect of traded volumes of such stocks. Other objectives of the research are to determine the optimal pay-out ratio based on the profits of the firm and to determine the optimal time to declare and pay dividends. We use quota-sampling technique and selected 5 companies from the 22 domestic listed companies in the Botswana Stock Exchange. The companies under consideration are Barclay Bank, RDCP, Chobe, Engen and Sefalana Plcs. These companies are chosen based on the availability of daily closing trading information for the past five years and easiness to get information to use for our study that includes dividends pay-outs, profits made, volumes traded, etc. The result of this study reveals that there is a direct relationship between dividend announcement, ex-dividends, dividend pay-out ratio and volume of stock traded and the stock price in Botswana. Furthermore, the study concludes that there is a direct relationship between change in dividends and change in dividend per share. Lastly, the finding reveals that most of the companies sampled pay dividends between December and March. We recommend that companies should have an optimal dividend policy as this have been proven to increase firm value. We also recommend that firms should announce dividends around December to March to counter the end of year effect that usually suppresses stock prices.