Islamic finance and herding behavior theory: A sectoral analysis for gulf islamic stock market

Abstract

This study examines herding behavior in four sectors of the Gulf Islamic stock markets. Based on the methodology of Chiang and Zheng (2010), results showed evidence of herding among investors in major sectors for the Gulf Cooperation Council (hereinafter GCC) Islamic stock market during falling periods. In addition, we found that conventional return dispersions have a dominant influence during both falling and rising market periods. We also found evidence of herding around the conventional sectors during down market periods only in banking, hotel and restaurant sectors. There is evidence of herding around the conventional sectors during up market periods for insurance and industrial sectors.