Integration of Islamic capital market in ASEAN-5 countries

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to investigate the nature and integration of Islamic stock markets across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN-5) countries for economic community (AEC) development. Design/methodology/approach - Using samples of daily closing prices from 2009 to 2014 across ASEAN-5 countries, co-integration and Granger-causality tests were applied. Findings - This research finds that Islamic capital markets across ASEAN-5 countries remain highly integrated despite the global financial crisis of 2008, and it also finds the integration strength between Jakarta Islamic Index -Indonesia and Bursa Malaysia Emas Sharia-Malaysia Islamic capital markets to be the most influential across ASEAN-5 countries, while MSCI-Philippine Islamic capital market is the most vulnerable across ASEAN-5 Islamic capital markets. Research limitations/implications - The overwhelming benefit of Islamic stock market integration across ASEAN-5 countries, and, even in a broader context, awaits further inquiry. Originality/value - Islamic capital markets across ASEAN-5 countries are integrated regardless of the post-global financial crisis. This contributes to confirming cross-border integration policies, especially for AEC development.