PurposeThis study investigates the impact of derivatives as risk management strategy on the value of Malaysian firms. This study also examines the interaction effect between derivatives and managerial ownership on firm value.Design/methodology/approachThe study examines 200 nonfinancial firms engaged in derivatives for the period 2012–2017 using the generalized method of moments (GMM) to establish the influence of derivatives and managerial ownership on firm value. The study refers to two related theories (hedging theory and managerial aversion theory) to explain its findings. Firm value is measured using Tobin's Q with return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE) as robustness checks.FindingsThe study found evidence on the positive influence of derivatives on firm value as proposed by the hedging theory. However, the study concludes that managers less hedge when they owned more shares based on the negative interaction between derivatives and managerial ownership on firm value. Hedging decision among managers in Malaysian firms therefore does not subscribe to the managerial aversion theory.Research limitations/implicationsThis study focuses on the derivatives (foreign currency derivatives, interest rate derivatives and commodity derivatives) and managerial ownership that is deemed relevant and important to the Malaysian firms. Other forms of ownership such as state-/foreign owned and institutional ownership are not covered in this study.Practical implicationsThis study has important implications to managers and investors. First is on the importance of risk management using derivatives to increase firm value, second, the influence of derivatives and managerial ownership on firm value and finally, the quality reporting on derivatives exposure by firms in line with the required accounting standard.Originality/valueThere is limited empirical evidence on the impact of derivatives on firm value as well as the influence of managerial ownership on hedging decisions of Malaysian firms. This study analyzes the influence of derivatives on firm value during the period in which reporting on derivatives in financial reports is made mandatory by the Malaysian regulator, hence avoiding data inaccuracy unlike the previous studies on Malaysia. This study therefore fills the gap in the literature in relation to the risk management strategies using derivatives in Malaysia.

PurposeThis study examines the impact of hedging on firm value of Sharīʿah compliant firms (SCFs) in a non-linear framework.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs the system-GMM for dynamic panel data to examine the influence of derivatives usage on firm value (Tobin's Q, ROA and ROE). The sample comprised of 59 non-financial SCFs engaged in derivatives from 2000 to 2017 (18 years). The Sasabuchi-Lind-Mehlum (SLM) test for U-shaped is performed to confirm the existence of the non-linear relationship.FindingsThis study concludes that hedging significantly contributes to firm value of SCFs based on the non-linear framework. This study suggests that, first, the non-linear relationship occurs due to the different degree of derivatives usage and risk. Second, firms practice selective hedging to maintain the upside potential of firm value.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has important implications. First, the importance of risk management via derivatives to increase firm value, second, the evidence of selective hedging from the non-linear relationship between derivatives and firm value and third, the need for quality reporting on derivatives engagement by firms in line with the required accounting standard on derivatives.Originality/valueThis study fills the gap in the literature in relation to the risk management strategies of SCFs in three aspects. First, re-examines the relationship using recent data. Second, examines the relationship in the non-linear framework as the limited studies found in the literature on Malaysian firms are only based on linear relationship. Third, determines whether hedging undertaken by firms is optimal as this can only be addressed using the non-linear framework. This study is robust to the various definitions of firm value (Tobin's Q, ROA and ROE) and non-linear methodologies.

This study examines the role of infrastructure on trade in Malaysia from 1980 to 2013. The main objective is to test the addition of infrastructure into the augmented gravity equation and to examine the effects on trade through improvements in infrastructure. The impact of infrastructure on trade between Malaysia and 36 countries was examined using panel data analysis. The robustness of the results was tested by applying the pooled OLS, random effect model, and fixed effect model. The Hausman results offer support to the fixed effect model. The findings showed that all variables of infrastructures are significant and positive corresponding to the volume of trade between Malaysia and its trading partners

The study examined the impact of derivatives usage on the performance of Shari'ah-compliant firms in Malaysia. The study employed a Generalised Method-of-Moment estimator (System-GMM) on a set of panel data from 2012 to 2017. A paired sample t-test for mean difference and a Wilcoxon Signed-ranks test was performed to examine the performance difference between users and non-users of derivatives. The study provided strong evidence of a significant difference in performance between users and non-users of derivatives. Moreover, the study observed better performance among derivative users than non-derivative users. The findings enriched the current Islamic financial market literature and contributed to a better understanding of the hedging activities among Shari’ah-compliant firms. The study offered new evidence on risk management using derivatives in the Islamic financial market.