This study investigates whether religiosity affects stock market speculation. We use data from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries characterized by a high level of religiosity and clearly defined religious rules on investing. We find that during Ramadan, the stock markets of these countries encounter relatively lower levels of market volatility, idiosyncratic volatility, and trading frequency. We do not find significant changes in absolute returns during Ramadan compared with other months. However, a drop in volatility leads to higher risk-adjusted returns. Our results indicate that religiosity is negatively related to stock market speculation.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate whether a religious environment affects a firm capital structure. Design/methodology/approach: The authors use data from Saudi Arabia with a highly Islamic religious environment. The authors use an extreme bounds analysis (EBA), which provides a reliable analysis of the determinants of capital structure and aids the process of selecting explanatory variables when there is model uncertainty. Findings: The authors find that firms in such an Islamic environment are relatively less leveraged compared to firms in a non-Islamic environment. The authors also find that firms located in an Islamic environment have different determinants of capital structure than firms located in a non-Islamic environment. Specifically, the Islamic society creates decision makers who are more risk averse, thus leading to a preference for corporate financing using internal funds. Practical implications: The results imply a potential challenge for growth-seeking firms located in religious Islamic societies. Originality/value: This study is one of the first to examine the determinants of corporate capital structure in Saudi Arabia using EBA.