Geopolitical Risk and the Return Volatility of Islamic Stocks in Indonesia and Malaysia: A GARCH-MIDAS Approach

Abstract

In this paper, the predictive value of geopolitical risk (GPR) for the return volatility of Islamic stocks in Indonesia and Malaysia is examined. GPR data, whether global or country-specific, heighten the return volatility of Islamic stocks in both countries, albeit with a greater impact on Indonesia. Additional analyses show improved out-of-sample forecast gains with the inclusion of GPR data in the predictive model of the return volatility of Islamic stocks.