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In this paper, we provide new evidence to strengthen the stock market overreaction hypothesis by examining a new context that has not been explored before. Our research is inspired by the widely held belief that investor sentiment experiences abrupt changes from optimism to pessimism as the market switches between bull and bear states.

If the stock market overreaction hypothesis is correct, it implies that investors are inclined to become excessively optimistic during bull markets and overly pessimistic during bear markets, resulting in overreaction and subsequent market correction. Consequently, the study first develops two testable hypotheses that can be used to uncover the presence of stock market overreaction with subsequent correction. These hypotheses are then tested using long-term data from the US market.

The study's findings support the hypothesis while also revealing a significant asymmetry in investor overreaction between bull and bear markets. Specifically, our results indicate that investors tend to overreact towards the end of a bear market, and the subsequent bull market starts with a prompt and robust correction. Conversely, investors appear to overreact only towards the end of a prolonged bull market. The correction during a bear market is not confined to its initial phase but extends across its entire duration.

Our study has some limitations related to its focus on investigating stock market overreaction in the US market and analyzing the pattern of mean returns during bull and bear market states. Expanding our study to different global markets would be necessary to understand whether the same stock market overreaction effect exists universally. Furthermore, exploring the relationship between volatility and overreaction during different market phases would be an exciting direction for future research, as it could provide a more complete picture of market dynamics.

Our study confirms the presence of the stock market overreaction effect, which contradicts the efficient market hypothesis. We have observed specific price patterns during bull and bear markets that investors can potentially exploit. However, successfully capitalizing on these patterns depends on accurately predicting the turning points between bull and bear market states.

The results of our study have significant implications for market regulators. Stock market overreactions resulting in market corrections can severely disrupt the market, leading to significant financial losses for investors and undermining investor confidence in the overall market. Further, the existence of overreactions suggests that the stock market may not always be efficient, raising regulatory concerns. Policymakers and regulators may need to implement policies and regulations to mitigate the effects of overreactions and subsequent market corrections.

This paper aims to provide additional support for the stock market overreaction hypothesis using a new setting in which this hypothesis has not been previously investigated.

Average bank net interest margins vary widely across Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, net interest margins of Omani banks are significantly higher. The resultant low level of financial intermediation implies reduced investment and economic growth. Understanding the reason for these high and persistent spreads is important to develop a policy for improving effectiveness of the banking system. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Net interest margins of Arab GCC banks during the period 1999-2012 are examined using the balanced panel regression model with bank specific, financial/market structure specific and macroeconomic factors as determinants. The method used for estimation used is the estimated generalized least squares (EGLS) method with both fixed effects and random effects.

Bank-specific variables, which explain net interest margins in GCC, are bank capitalization ratios, loan ratios and overhead expenses. Spread of banking sector (as measured by ratio of total bank credit to GDP) is positive and highly significant, implying that along with the expansion of the banking sector in GCC economies, interest margins of banks also improved. Omani banks were able to increase interest margins by aggressively marketing high yield personal and credit card loans, and, zero interest paying deposit products. The study also finds a negative relationship between concentration and net interest margin, and attempts to explain this finding which is at variance with other country studies using the price leadership model of oligopoly.

The standard, accepted econometric model of net interest margins which has been used in earlier studies is unable to explain the high net interest margins of banks in Oman although it is able to explain interest margins in other GCC countries. There is a need to develop non econometric models. More work is needed on the implications of NIM spreads for how they affect an economy.

The study shows that as the banking sector spreads in the economy, individual banks have more opportunities to market their products while at the same time maintaining interest margins. Bank managements should note this point and look for opportunities to expand.

There is no evidence of any empirical studies which focused on net interest margins in the GCC countries. This study attempts to fill in this gap with a view to nudge policy makers to look at the issue of high interest margins and its detrimental impact on economic growth and development in the Gulf region. The paper is useful for policy makers to understand and rectify the problem of excessive interest spreads which is hurting the financial intermediation process.

This study uses the unique setting of unusual market activity (UMA) replies to examine the market reaction and the effects of disclosure and investor protection amid information uncertainty.

A total of 1527 hand-collected UMA replies from the interlinked stock exchanges of Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore for the period of 2015–2017 were analysed using event study and Heckman two-step methods with market and matched control firm benchmarks.

The overall results support the uncertain information hypothesis. The UMA replies with new information were also found to reduce information uncertainty, but not information asymmetry, and they are complementary to investor protection in enhancing abnormal returns. The overall finding suggests that the UMA public query system can be an effective market intervention mechanism in improving information certainty and efficiency.

This study provides insight on the effects of news replies and investor protection on abnormal returns, and support for the uncertain information hypothesis. The finding is useful to policymakers and stock exchanges as they seek to understand how to alleviate investors' anxiety and to create an informationally efficient market. Nevertheless, this study is limited by the extensiveness of the hand-collected UMA replies and also the potential issue of simultaneity-induced endogeneity.

This study uses UMA replies and cross-country data taking into account the effects of market surroundings such as information uncertainty and the level of investor protection on market reaction.