Somar Al-Mohamad

Bio: Somar Al-Mohamad is an academic researcher from American University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Stock market & Cryptocurrency. The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 10 publications receiving 25 citations. Previous affiliations of Somar Al-Mohamad include American University of the Middle East & University of Sydney.

The Australian Stock Market’s Reaction to the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Black Summer Bushfires: A Sectoral Analysis

Abstract: In this study, we investigated the impact of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on various sectors of the Australian stock market. Market capitalization and equally weighted indices were formed for eleven Australian sectors to examine the influence of the pandemic on them. First, we examined the financial contagion between the Chinese stock market and Australian sector indices through the dynamic conditional correlation fractionally integrated generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (DCC-FIGARCH) model. We found high time-varying correlations between the Chinese stock market and most of the Australian sector indices, with the financial, health care, information technology, and utility sectors displaying a decrease in co-movements during the pandemic. The Modified Iterative Cumulative Sum of Squares (MICSS) analysis results indicated the presence of structural breaks in the volatilities of most of the sector indices around the end of February 2020, but consumer staples, industry, information technology and real estate indices did not display any break. Markov regime-switching regression analysis depicted that the pandemic has mainly affected three sectors: consumer staples, industry, and real estate. When we considered the firm size, we found that smaller companies in the energy sector exhibited gradual deterioration, whereas small firms in the consumer staples sector experienced the largest positive impact from the pandemic.

Bitcoin and Portfolio Diversification: A Portfolio Optimization Approach

Abstract: The fundamental objective of portfolio diversification is to construct a portfolio of uncorrelated or mildly correlated assets so as to maximize the risk-adjusted returns on a portfolio. Portfolio Optimization is one of the techniques used by investment professionals to explore the potential of different assets in maximizing the risk-adjusted returns of the portfolio by adjusting the weight of each asset using simulations or constrained scenarios. A significant amount of research has already been conducted in the area of portfolio diversification that helps investors in devising their investment strategies and policies. Cryptocurrencies in general, and Bitcoin in particular, have aroused significant interest among investment professionals, policymakers, and regulators alike. Although much research has primarily focused on the legal and technological aspects of Bitcoin, the examination of other financial, diversification, hedge, and safe-haven aspects of Bitcoin has not progressed as far. This study explores the potential of Bitcoin as an alternative asset, and its potential in portfolio diversification, by using the portfolio optimization approach. The study employs the portfolio optimization approach under multiple constraining scenarios to evaluate the effectiveness of Bitcoin in portfolio diversification. A Monte-Carlo Simulation approach is then employed to evaluate the outcomes under each scenario by randomizing the outcomes of portfolio optimization. This study suggests that Bitcoin, due to its exotic nature, unwavering appeal, and unknown set of drivers, could at best act as a diversifier rather than a hedge or a safe-haven.

Bitcoin and Portfolio Diversification: A Portfolio Optimization Approach

Abstract: This study investigates the performance of Bitcoin as a diversifier under different constraining portfolio optimization frameworks. The study employs different constraining optimization frameworks that seek to maximize risk-adjusted returns (Sharpe ratio) of the portfolio by optimizing allocations to each asset class (asset allocation). The performance attributes are evaluated by comparing the portfolios both with and without Bitcoin under frameworks ranging from equal-weighted, risk-parity, and semi-constrained to unconstrained. This study suggests that Bitcoin, due to its exotic nature, unwavering appeal, and unknown set of drivers, could act as a diversifier in normal market conditions, and it might also have some borderline hedge to safe haven properties. The results further suggest that while Bitcoin may be a potential diversifier for a risk-seeking investor, the risk-averse investor must exercise caution by limiting their exposure to Bitcoin in their portfolios, as unnecessary exposure may increase the probability of losses in extreme market conditions.

Further evidence on Middle East and North Africa financial markets integration

Abstract: This paper provides further evidence on financial integration among MENA and developed the US stock markets between 2000 and 2015. This paper employs Zivot and Andrews (1992) and Bai and Perron (2003) methods to test for single and multiple structural breaks in MENA markets, respectively, along with the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) and Granger causality techniques to examine the dynamic interaction among the aforementioned stock markets in both long and short-run. Results find that, in general, the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) to be the most significant event leading to structural change in almost all the MENA markets. Furthermore, MENA countries are cointegrated among each other, and with US stock market. Financial markets in the MENA region are not isolated from global events and global shocks such as the GFC and the European debt crisis are found to have at least the same impact as local and regional events on the financial systems in MENA countries.

The impact of BRICS formation on portfolio diversification: Empirical evidence from pre- and post-formation eras

Abstract: This paper aims at contributing to the international portfolio investment decisions among the emerging BRICS countries where individual and institutional investors seek diversification benefits and...

Global Stock Markets Development and Integration: with Special Reference to BRIC Countries

Abstract: In a country like India where the stock market is undergoing significant transformation with liberalization measures, and the analysis of the nature of integration with other developed and emerging markets would not only give an idea of the possible gains to be reaped out of portfolio diversification from Indian market, but may also provide some indication of the vulnerability of the country’s stock market in case of a regional financial crisis and consequent reversal of capital flows from the region. In the context the study examined the integration of the stock market among the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) economies in general and their integration with the developed countries stock markets such as US, UK and Japan, which can be analyzed by using the Granger causality, Johansen co integration and Error correction Mechanism methodology, based on daily data for the period January1998- Aug 2009. The results of co integration shows co integration relationship found between BRIC countries and Developed countries namely USA, UK and Japan. The results of Error correction model reveal that Sensex, Nikki225, moscowtimes, FTSE 100, and Bovespa are significant. It implies that these markets share the forces of short run adjustment to long run equilibrium.

The Determinants of Home Bias Puzzle in Equity Portfolio Investment in Australia

Abstract: Over the past decades, there is an increased trend in the international financial integration as countries are removing and relaxing controls on cross-border investment. Capital can flow easily to the destination that offers higher returns as the results of decreasing obstacles to international investment. However, despite well documented gains from international diversification, investors continue to have a strong preference for domestic assets. This paper characterizes the salient nature of the composition of the Australian equity portfolio investment. In addition, the paper investigates the determinants of the Australian investors’ home bias in equity portfolio investment. Employing the disaggregated data for the holding of Australian investors abroad from the Coordinated Portfolio Investment Survey (CPIS) conducted by IMF for the year 1997, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005, we provide an insight into the causes of the home bias puzzle by empirically analysing the role of explicit barriers to international investment (capital controls and transaction costs) and implicit barriers (governance and information asymmetries).