Dynamic Co-movement and Volatility Spillover Effect Between Sukuk and Conventional Bonds:A Comparison Study Between ASEAN and GCC

Abstract

Sukuk and conventional bonds gain their popularity in the global market. Hence, an observation of the dynamic correlation and transmission of volatility between these two instruments is relevant. This article investigates the volatility spillover of sukuk and conventional bond markets by using GARCH-BEKK model. Then, we measure the dynamics of the co-movement of both markets by using GARCH-DCC model, and finally, we examine the macroeconomic factors that determine the dynamic conditional correlation between sukuk and conventional bonds in two Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) markets (i.e., Indonesia and Malaysia) and four Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets (i.e., Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar and Oman). The data reveal unidirectional and bidirectional volatility spillovers of sukuk and bond indices. The results also show strong evidence of dynamic conditional correlation for all markets. On the basis of the BEKK and dynamic conditional correlation (DCC) results, we infer that bonds and sukuk in ASEAN and GCC markets show the efficiency of the markets, which do not offer any diversification benefits to investors for having both instruments in their portfolios. As regards portfolio diversification strategies, investors must pay attention to the co-movements and spillover of both markets accordingly. Finally, only Oman market is influenced by all macroeconomic variables.