Most of the prior research in the area of monthly regularities has been based on the Gregorian calendar; by contrast, little attention has been given to other calendars based on different religions or cultures. This thesis examines monthly calendar anomalies in the Pakistani stock market for both the Gregorian calendar and its Islamic counterpart. This is one of the first studies to investigate both calendars for monthly seasonality in one investigation on the same dataset. Empirical studies of the Pakistani stock market that have examined monthly calendar anomalies are relatively sparse when compared with investigations from other emerging markets throughout the world. Even the findings from the small number of Pakistani investigations that have examined for the presence of monthly calendar anomalies have arrived at different conclusions about the predictability of equity returns at different times within a year. Since the conclusions of these findings have been mixed, the current study undertakes further work on this topic to offer some clarity in this area; this thesis arrives at a firm conclusion about the monthly calendar anomaly. For the purpose of this thesis, both qualitative and quantitative research methods were employed. Firstly, 19 face-to-face interviews were conducted with brokers, regulators and individual investors to ascertain their views about share price regularities with regards to monthly calendar anomalies and to gain some insights about the role of investor sentiment in the Pakistani stock markets. Secondly, share returns for a sample of 106 companies listed on the KSE over the 17 year period from 1995 to 2011 were analysed to determine whether Pakistani stock markets are weak-form efficient or whether security price changes can be predicted from knowledge of the month when the return is earned; it also investigates whether there is a change in the risk (volatility) of shares in different months which might explain any pattern in returns. To answer these questions various research methods were employed. The results of the interviews suggest that most respondents believed that share prices exhibit patterns in certain months of the year. The most common pattern highlighted by the interviewees related to the month of January for the Gregorian calendar and Ramadan for the Islamic calendar. Interviewees also argued that volatility declined during the religious month of Ramadan; they attributed these changes to investor sentiment and religious duties. Overall, the results suggested that monthly calendar anomalies may be present in the market and that these are studied by investors in an attempt to earn profit. The results from the quantitative analyses supported the findings from the interviews. Initial analyses suggested that returns varied significantly during certain months which indicate that the market might not be efficient. Further, investigations for seasonality in both the mean and volatility of returns offered conflicting evidence; very little statistical evidence of monthly seasonal anomalies was identified in average returns. However, monthly patterns were present in the variance of equity price changes in Pakistan. Overall, the results confirm that whatever monthly seasonality may be present in the equity prices of Pakistani companies, it is more pronounced in the volatility data than in the mean return numbers. These findings may have useful implications for trading strategies and investment decisions; investors may look to gain from managing the risk of their portfolios due to time varying volatility documented in the findings of this thesis. Further, the results of this thesis have interesting implications for our understanding of the dynamics of equity volatility in the Pakistani stock market.

The Halloween effect refers to higher stock returns during the period November to April compared to May to October. This is a well-known calendar anomaly that has gained a lot of attention due to the fact that the effect is persistent in the market in spite of the fact that investors are aware of the anomaly today. This evokes questions regarding the efficiency in the markets and the Efficient Market Hypothesis in particular. The main focus of this thesis was to investigate whether the Halloween effect still exists in the Swedish stock market and if the power of the effect deviates between different firm sizes. Furthermore, we examined risk differences between the summer -and the winter months, as well as the January effect in order to find out if these could be possible explanations for the Halloween effect and its existence. A trading strategy based on the Halloween effect was also tested in order to see if investors could use this strategy to outperform a buy and hold strategy. The method that was used to investigate the existence of the Halloween effect was Ordinary Least Squares regression models with dummy variables, standard deviation to ascertain risk-differences between the periods and the Sharpe ratio to determine the risk-adjusted returns of the trading strategies. The results showed that the Halloween effect could be found in all of the examined market-cap indices, and therefore the Efficient Market Hypothesis could be questioned. The Halloween effect turned out to be autonomous from the January effect and the risk measured in standard deviation had no significant difference between the summer -and the winter months, hence, both these possible explanations were rejected. The backtesting showed that the Halloween strategy would perform better than the buy and hold strategy in all indices except from the mid-cap index. The results regarding the Sharpe ratio indicated that the Halloween strategy would be a better strategy to use considering risk-adjusted returns as the Sharpe ratio was higher in all indices.

The research undertaken aims to contribute to the debate about market efficiency and market volatility in an Islamic context. The research relates to the Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) and covers the period 1992 to 2007. It undertakes quantitative analysis involving two key elements: first, testing for random walk and calendar anomaly effects in market returns and, second, modelling volatility in market returns. The thesis applies a series of standard econometric and statistical techniques to this issue. The key ‘novel’ contributions of this study relate to the focus on Islamic religious holiday effects and also the application of behavioural finance theoretical models to explain the findings in terms of the influence of social mood (mood misattribution) effects. These are approaches that have not been previously applied in the literature within an Islamic context. The author argues that the econometric and statistical techniques applied are ‘fit for purpose’. Standard methods are applied; however, these are applied in ‘novel’ ways in parts of the thesis. For example, moving-date calendar effects are modelled for the first time and the modelling of volatility makes use of interaction effects to explore the impact of interactions between different mood-influencing variables. The study begins by identifying that the ASE index returns do not follow a Random Walk. It then goes on to identify day-of-the-week effects. First trading day of the week effects found in relation to the first trading day that follows the Muslim holy day of Friday. Monthly calendar effects were also found. January or turn-of-the-year effects were found in the ASE similar to those found previously in some Western markets. However, the largest monthly effects were found in relation to the holy month of Ramadan. Most significantly, Ramadan was found to be the only month where the average daily returns were both statistically different from the other months in the year and also positive. This, it is argued in the thesis, is due to social mood (or mood misattribution) effects. The research looks beyond informational efficiency and develops a number of ‘novel’ contributions to research in this area in terms of both the empirical findings and the behavioural finance-related interpretation of these findings, as well as the influence of Islamic ethics in Amman’s stock market returns. The thesis also examines the relationship between seven behavioural mood-proxy variables and stock market returns. Fama (1991) argues that efficiency and volatility are unrelated. In this thesis, however, evidence is uncovered which suggests that this may not be the case. High levels of volatility were found at the start and at the end of the Ramadan holy festival; this volatility, it is argued, is related to social mood. This issue is examined further by exploring previously unstudied interactions between mood-related Ramadan effects and mood-related weather and biorhythmic effects. The results of this thesis, the author believes, provide strong evidence for the existence of Muslim religion investment decision biases associated with social mood effects (mood misattribution). It is argued that these social mood effects in the case of Jordan relate mainly to Islamic ethics and cultural issues, as they are found predominantly during the Ramadan religious holiday. Despite the existence of decision biases within the ASE, no profitable trading anomaly opportunities were identified. This may be due, in part, to Jordan having high trading transaction costs. It is possible, however, that profitable trading opportunities related to Islamic holidays may exist in countries that follow stricter religious observance. The author believes that there is an opportunity to extend this research to countries such as Bahrain.

Σκοπός της παρούσας είναι ο έλεγχος της ύπαρξης ημερολογιακών ανωμαλιών στη λειτουργία των διεθνών αγορών, όπως αυτή αποτυπώνεται στην πορεία των χρηματιστηριακών δεικτών κατά την περίοδο 01.01.1988 έως 31.03.2008. Όταν μια ημερολογιακή ανωμαλία γίνεται γνωστή στην αγορά, είναι αναμενόμενο η αντίδραση των επενδυτών στην αναμονή της να βαίνει φθίνουσα με το χρόνο. Για την απόρριψη ή την επιβεβαίωση της υπόθεσης αυτής, στην παρούσα μελέτη, ελέγχεται η ύπαρξη ημερολογιακών ανωμαλιών στις αποδόσεις 15 διεθνών χρηματιστηριακών αγορών τα τελευταία 20 έτη. Κυρίαρχος σκοπός της συγκεκριμένης μελέτης είναι ο έλεγχος της μεταβολής των τάσεων στις προτιμήσεις και τις προσδοκίες των επενδυτών τόσο κατά το πέρασμα των χρόνων όσο και με βάση τη θέση κάθε αγοράς στον παγκόσμιο χάρτη ανάπτυξης. Η εξεταζόμενη περίοδος χωρίζεται σε δύο επιμέρους υποπεριόδους με γνώμονα την διεθνή κρίση που ξεκίνησε στα τέλη του 1999 και επηρέασε καθοριστικά την πορεία της παγκόσμιας οικονομίας. Προσπαθούμε, επομένως, να μελετήσουμε την προσαρμογή των αγορών στις συνθήκες και τα δεδομένα που δημιουργούνται έπειτα από ένα σημαντικό γεγονός. Η μεγάλη βάση του δείγματος - ξεπερνά τα είκοσι έτη, το πλήθος των εξεταζόμενων δεικτών και η προσπάθεια μελέτης διαφορετικών τάσεων με βάση ένα κομβικό σημείο της πορείας της ιστορίας αλλά και με βάση την κατηγοριοποίηση των αγορών ανάλογα με το βαθμό ανάπτυξής τους, διαφοροποιούν την παρούσα μελέτη, και πιστεύουμε ότι αποτελούν ένα ισχυρό κίνητρο για έναν μελετητή ή επενδυτή να αφιερώσει χρόνο στην παρούσα μελέτη. Εξάλλου, τόσο η αξιοσημείωτη διαφοροποίηση των αποτελεσμάτων στις δύο εξεταζόμενες υποπεριόδους, όσο και η χαλαρή τάση που εμφανίζεται σε κάθε κατηγορία αγορών, θεωρούμε ότι δικαιώνουν το εν λόγω εγχείρημα. / When a calendar anomaly becomes acquaintance in the market, the reaction of investors is expected to go declining with the time. For the reject or the confirmation of this affair, in the present study, we check the existence of calendar anomalies in the output of 15 International Stock Exchange markets the last 20 years. The examined period (1988-2008) is separated in two subperiods taking into consideration the international crisis that began in the dues of 1999 in order to be checked the stability of results. The empirical results show important differentiation of results in the two examined subperiods. In any case, the segregation of indicators according to their places in the world market does not appear to attribute substantially conclusions. Specifically in the case of emerging markets, these show that they mark an autonomous movement and to be influenced more by other (internal, mainly) factors.

Bakgrund: Sedan finanskrisen 2008 har den globala ekonomin präglats av sjunkande räntor och stigande börser. Detta har lett till att intresset för den nordiska aktiemarknaden har nått rekordhöga nivåer. Flera av de strategier som tillämpas vid investeringar på aktiemarknaden baseras på att marknaden historiskt har tenderat att röra sig enligt vissa mönster under specifika kalendeperioder. Andra kända investeringsstrategier baseras istället på hur aktier värderas utifrån prismultiplar, som antas vittna om bolagets förväntade tillväxt och lönsamhet. Strategierna gör det intressant att undersöka dessa två typer av strategier gemensamt för att se ifall dem skulle kunna komplettera varandra och hjälpa en investerares att överavkasta sitt jämförelseindex. Syfte: Studiens syfte är att analysera ifall kalenderanomalier fortfarande förekommer (i) på aggregerad nivå på de nordiska marknaderna samt (ii) om eventuella marknadsanomalierna skiljer sig något mellan värde- och tillväxtaktier. Studien avser således besvara frågan ifall någon aktietyp tenderar att agera annorlunda under specifika kalenderperioder och hur detta kan bidra till mer välgrundade investeringsbeslut. Metod: För att kunna undersöka studiens syfte har avkastningen hos de nordiska aktieindexen undersökts under utvalda kalenderperioder. Utifrån regressioner har dessa perioder jämförts mot övriga perioder på året för att finna eventuell abnormal avkastning. För att undersöka differenser bland olika aktietyper har egna index konstruerats utifrån aktiens genomsnittliga P/BV-multipelunder de senaste tio åren. Resultat: Under den studerade tidsperioden mellan 2009 och 2020 går det att med statistisk signifikans att konstatera kalenderanomalier på de nordiska marknaderna. Resultaten varierar för varje effekt, land och aktietyp. En investerare hade alltså under den studerade tidsperioden kunnat generera abnormal avkastning genom att ta välkända anomalier i beaktning vid sina investeringsbeslut. Mellan de olika aktietyperna konstateras skillnader, dock inget som indikeraratt den ena gruppen är mer effektiv gentemot marknaden än den andra / Background: Since the financial crisis in 2008, the global economy has been characterized by falling interest rates and rising stock markets. This has led to interest in the Nordic stock market reaching record highs. Several of the strategies applied to investments in the stock market are based on the fact that the market has historically tended to move according to certain patterns during specific calendar periods, so-called calendar anomalies. Other known investment strategiesare instead based on how shares are valued on the basis of price multiples, which are assumed to testify to the company's expected growth and profitability. The strategies make it interesting to examine these two types of strategies together to see if they could complement each other and help an investor to outperform their benchmark. Purpose: The purpose of the study is to analyze whether calendar anomalies still occur (i) at the aggregate level in the Nordic markets and (ii) whether any market anomalies differ slightly between value and growth shares. The study thus intends to answer the question of whether anytype of share tends to act differently during specific calendar periods and how this can contribute to more informed investment decisions. Method: In order to be able to investigate the purpose of the study, the returns of the Nordic equity indices have been examined during selected calendar periods. Based on regressions, these periods have been compared with other periods of the year to find any abnormal returns. To examine differences among different share types, own indices have been constructed based on the share's average P / BV multiple over the past ten years. Result: During the studied period between 2009 and 2020, it is possible to establish calendar anomalies in the Nordic markets with statistical significance. The results vary for each effect, country and share type. An investor would thus have been able to generate abnormal returns during the period studied by taking well-known anomalies into account in his investment decisions. Differences are noted between the different share types, but there is no indication that one group is more efficient towards the market than the other.

This Study uses a period between 1939-2017 to analyse calendar anomalies on the Swedish equity market. We test whether calendar anomalies’ return deviates from the return of ordinary trading days. Our result shows that the day of the week effect, weekend effect, turn of the year, turn of the month and holiday effect have had an impact on the daily rate of return, both domestic and abroad. Similar to international markets the calendar anomalies in Sweden start to be less prominent during 1980’s. Also, our result displays that, since the 1970’s, UK holidays have had a negative impact on the daily return in Sweden. In contrast, American holidays have since the 2010’s had a positive impact. Turn of the year and turn of the month in Sweden have been more clustered around the first trading day of the year and month, compared to studies on other equity markets. Negative returns on Tuesdays, rather than Mondays, do also distinguish Sweden’s equity market relative to other markets.

This study has applied a geographical perspective with the ambition of evaluating the presence of the Sell in May effect, January effect and monthly anomalies in the Nordic stock markets. In extension the study examines the relationship between corporate size and the returns of calendar anomalies. The study has conducted statistical tests based on Newey-West regressions as well as a Generalized Auto-Regressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity model. The findings suggest that the Sell in May and January are present in the Nordic region and partially abide by theory and results of previous research. The findings suggest that the Sell in May and January effect are independent, however, tendencies when the January effect has a considerable influence on the Sell in May effect are also evident. Additionally, the “April Effect” is an unexpected outlier with positive excess returns that was identified through this study.