Bahrain Stock Exchange Research Articles

A Survey of Internet Financial Reporting in Bahrain

This paper investigates the extent and variety of internet financial reporting (IFR) by companies listed on the Bahrain Stock Exchange (BSE). While IFR is fast becoming the norm in western countries, there is little empirical evidence of the phenomenon in the Middle East. This paper attempts to fill some of the gap in the literature by providing evidence of IFR practices in Bahrain. The 49 companies listed on the BSE were investigated to ascertain whether they maintain websites and/or if these sites are being used for communicating financial information. Only 40 companies were found to operate websites, with only 27 engaging in IFR. The results indicate that IFR is spreading in Bahrain and there are many opportunities and challenges for all stakeholders in corporate reporting. The study highlights the challenge si opportunities for IFR in the Middle East, as well as a number of areas for further study.

Testing weak‐form efficiency in the Bahrain stock market

PurposeThis study seeks to measure the behaviour of stock prices in the Bahrain Stock Exchange (BSE), which is expected to follow a random walk. The aim of the study is to measure the weak‐form efficiency.Design/methodology/approachRandom walk models such as unit root and Dickey‐Fuller tests are used as basic stochastic tests for a non‐stationarity of the daily prices for all the listed companies in the BSE. In addition, autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) and exponential smoothing methods are also used. Cross‐sectional‐time‐series is used for the 40 listed companies over the period 1 June 1990 up until 31 December 2000.FindingsRandom walk with no drift and trend is confirmed for all daily stock prices and each individual sector. Other tests, such as ARIMA (AR1), autocorrelation tests and exponential smoothing tests also supported the efficiency of the BSE in the weak‐form.Practical implicationsThe finding of the study is a necessary piece of information for all investors whether in Bahrain or dealing with Bahrain stock market. Listed firms could also benefit from the findings by seeing the true picture of their stock price. Since, Bahrain is considered as an emerging market, the new methodologies used could be replicated for all other emerging markets. In addition, the finding is used as a base for testing the market efficiency in the semi‐strong form, which has not yet been tested by any researcher.Originality/valueThis study will add value to the literature of market efficiency in emerging market since it is the only study which covers all the listed companies and over a long period of time. To confirm the weak‐form efficiency in Bahrain, the study is unique in using five different methods in the same paper which have not been found in the previous literature.

A study of the audit committees' functioning in Bahrain

Audit committees (ACs) are a powerful tool in effective corporate governance. This study examines the functioning of ACs in Bahrain from the responses of 30 companies listed on the Bahrain stock exchange. Data were collected from questionnaires from companies and the audit firms. The study primarily focuses on the extent to which companies in Bahrain have been following the standard recommendations and guidelines provided by the blue ribbon committee (BRC). Size, type of auditors and industry type influence the establishment of ACs in Bahrain. The establishment of ACs have been slow yet, most of the companies have been following by and large BRC's recommendations. However, the concept of independent ACs is yet to be popularized in Bahrain. ACs do not report their findings to shareholders, but other functions seem to accord with the BRC's recommendations. However, some perceptions of audit firms negate the claims of the companies to comply with BRC recommendations.

Stock Market Efficiency and Strategies for Developing GCC Financial Markets: A Case Study of Bahrain Stock Market

The paper presents methodology, results of an empirical study for testing the weak form of Efficient Market Hypothesis of Bahrain Stock Market. The paper also reviews and highlights some of the recent strategic initiatives ushered in by the Bahrain Stock Exchange to expand and strengthen Bahrain's financial market in terms of listing procedures, regulatory mechanism, and trading & settlement procedures, which have implications and learning for the stock exchanges of GCC countries. Further, strategies for developing GCC financial markets have been suggested based upon the experiences of other developing and developed financial markets.

The Dynamics of Corporate Governance in Bahrain: structure, responsibilities and operation of corporate boards

There has been an increasing emphasis on corporate governance in recent years in a global context. The board of any company is key to the adoption and implementation of corporate governance best practice. In this paper we examine the dynamics of corporate governance in Bahrain, a Middle‐Eastern country, by analysing the board structures of companies in Bahrain. We employ a survey methodology with a questionnaire being sent to all of the companies listed on the Bahrain Stock Exchange Market. The aim of the questionnaire is to elicit information regarding the structure, responsibilities and operation of corporate boards in companies in Bahrain. We find that non‐executive directors dominate the board composition, key factors influencing appointment of these directors being relevant skills and business experience and reputation. However, none of the companies has a Nominations Committee and so NEDs are generally nominated by the board as a whole or by major shareholders, Chairmen/CEOs. Nonetheless, the non‐executive directors would appear to be relatively independent, as in the majority of cases the NEDs are not former executive board members or major shareholders. Whilst Bahrain does not have a corporate governance code per se, the company law reforms contain some interesting provisions that will contribute to the corporate governance framework in Bahrain. Amongst these provisions is one that excludes directors from being on more than three boards. There are therefore some encouraging features and developments in corporate governance in Bahrain.

INTERIM REPORTING PRACTICES BY COMPANIES IN BAHRAIN: PREPARATION OF INTERIM ACCOUNTS AND EARLY ADOPTION OF IAS 34

Abstract This study examines the preparation of interim accounts and adoption of International Accounting Standard 34 (IAS 34) by companies in Bahrain. Data was gathered through questionnaires returned from 31 companies listed on the Bahrain Stock Exchange (BSE). It was found that although 87.6% of the sample did prepare interim reports, only 65.5% have adopted IAS 34. Four hypotheses were tested to determine the factors influencing the early adoption of IAS 34. A discriminant analysis model was employed and three variables namely, size, profitability and leverage were found significant as the most discriminating variables between the early adopters and non-adopters. The predictive power of the model was found to be more than 80%. Companies prepare interim reports for a variety of purposes including management control and listing requirements.

Corporate Governance in Bahrain

Corporate governance is developing rapidly in many countries across the world. In this paper we analyse the existing state of corporate governance in a country in the Middle East: Bahrain. We employ a survey methodology, with a questionnaire being sent to all of the companies listed on the Bahrain Stock Exchange Market. An analysis of the responses reveals that Bahraini companies have in place some of the features of corporate governance best practice with boards dominated by non–executive directors, for example, and the separation of the roles of Chair and CEO. However, it is not clear how effective the nomination/appointments process is and directors tend to be fairly entrenched. In terms of risk management and control, the majority of Bahraini companies have an internal audit department and risk management control. Overall, it seems that Bahraini companies have a number of key corporate governance structural features in place, but that there remains further progress to be made.

Determinants of Audit Fees: Evidence from the Companies Listed in Bahrain

Many studies have been conducted on the market for audit services in Anglo‐Saxon countries, but, to‐date, none of them have focused on the Middle Eastern countries. This paper examines the audit fee structure in Bahrain for 38 companies listed on the Bahrain Stock Exchange (BSE). By analyzing the data concerning a number of variables representing size, risk, complexity, timing of audit, and profitability, a model is developed of the determinants of audit fees. The study strongly confirms that most of the previous research findings are also applicable to the Bahrain market, and that audit fees are significantly associated with the size, risk, profitability and complexity of the client operations. The study also suggests that other important issues be considered, such as non‐audit services, the extent of market concentration, and audit services in the unregulated market.