{"title":"Green development through finance: Discussion on the dual benefits of environment and economy","authors":"Yujun Liu , Jian Song , Yongmin Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.frl.2025.108521","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.frl.2025.108521","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study evaluates the multifaceted impacts of green finance (GF) development. Using a comprehensive provincial panel dataset spanning from 2010 to 2021 from China, the study employs a two-way fixed-effects panel model to empirically examine the role of GF in advancing energy conservation, carbon reduction, and economic growth. Moreover, a slacks-based measure of efficiency in data envelopment analysis model is applied to investigate the synergistic effects of GF across these dimensions. Findings show that GF development significantly reduces energy consumption and carbon emissions while promoting economic growth. Furthermore, GF enhances synergy among energy efficiency, emissions reduction, and economic growth. These findings remained robust across multiple validation checks. Hence, this study highlights the dual advances in GF in terms of environmental and economic growth dimensions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12167,"journal":{"name":"Finance Research Letters","volume":"86 ","pages":"Article 108521"},"PeriodicalIF":6.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145119096","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Digital transformation and bank transparency: Evidence from China","authors":"Yiwen Zhang , Liang Zhao , Chuanzhen Li","doi":"10.1016/j.frl.2025.108520","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.frl.2025.108520","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Using panel data spanning from 2010 to 2021, this study examines the impact of digital transformation (DT) on Chinese commercial banks’ transparency. Empirical results show that DT significantly enhances bank transparency. A mechanism analysis reveals that digitalization improves the timeliness and accuracy of loan loss recognition and strengthens internal governance, contributing to greater transparency. These findings offer practical implications for regulators and policymakers aiming to promote transparency through technological advancement.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12167,"journal":{"name":"Finance Research Letters","volume":"86 ","pages":"Article 108520"},"PeriodicalIF":6.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145155758","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Sovereign credit ratings: the ripple effect of investor protection","authors":"Oussama Ben Hmiden , Max Berre , Maria Tselika","doi":"10.1016/j.frl.2025.108517","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.frl.2025.108517","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Despite extensive research on the determinants of sovereign credit ratings, the role of legal institutions such as investor protection remains underexplored. This paper investigates the relationship between investor protection and sovereign credit ratings using a sample of 39 countries from 2000 to 2023, in a complex interdependent system. Our results indicate that higher levels of investor protection are associated with stronger sovereign credit ratings, while trade openness partially mediates the effect, thus offsetting the positive impact of investor protection on sovereign credit ratings. The findings remain robust to various specifications, with greater sensitivity observed in common-law jurisdictions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12167,"journal":{"name":"Finance Research Letters","volume":"86 ","pages":"Article 108517"},"PeriodicalIF":6.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145109467","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"When nature disrupts: biodiversity risk and corporate supply chain resilience","authors":"Wenwen Jin","doi":"10.1016/j.frl.2025.108518","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.frl.2025.108518","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Although climate change risks have been extensively examined, biodiversity risk has emerged as a pressing yet understudied ecological threat to supply chain resilience (SCR). Motivated by the increasing disruptions from biodiversity degradation, this study explores how biodiversity risk shapes SCR in Chinese listed firms. Using fixed effects and instrumental variable approaches, we find that biodiversity risk significantly undermines SCR. The negative effects are especially pronounced in firms with limited diversification, fewer female directors, a manufacturing focus, and non-state ownership. Mechanism tests reveal that maturity mismatch and agency costs channel the negative impact. These findings highlight biodiversity risk as a distinct source of supply chain vulnerability and offer insights into enhancing SCR.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12167,"journal":{"name":"Finance Research Letters","volume":"86 ","pages":"Article 108518"},"PeriodicalIF":6.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145217162","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The valuation allowance for deferred tax assets and stock price crash risk","authors":"Mahsa Behnamrad, Jaehee Jo, Hui Dong Kim","doi":"10.1016/j.frl.2025.108513","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.frl.2025.108513","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Using a large sample of U.S. firms from 1994 to 2023, we provide strong and robust evidence that the reporting of a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is negatively associated with future stock price crash risk. This finding suggests that the valuation allowance conveys a timely signal of a firm’s deteriorating expected future performance. Additionally, the negative association is more pronounced for firms in opaque information environments, where the valuation allowance is perceived as more credible. In contrast, the effect is weaker for firms facing higher tax-related uncertainty, as their valuation allowance adjustments may reflect aggressive tax strategies that could increase future firm-specific risk. Overall, our results are consistent with the notion that valuation allowances provide a valuable, timely signal of a firm’s expected future underperformance, which, in turn, reduces stock price crash risk.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12167,"journal":{"name":"Finance Research Letters","volume":"86 ","pages":"Article 108513"},"PeriodicalIF":6.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145155807","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Real estate price fluctuations and institutional misconduct","authors":"Mingya Hu , Yongjie Zhang , Xu Feng","doi":"10.1016/j.frl.2025.108505","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.frl.2025.108505","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We find that greater exposure to real estate price volatility (BE-REPV) is linked to higher levels of misconduct within banks. Increases in real estate prices drive banks to expand their lending activities, which in turn increases operational pressures and staff misconduct. This misconduct, initially originating in lending operations, spills over into deposit-related activities, leading to higher misconduct in banks' deposit operations. Our findings highlight a direct connection between real estate price volatility and bank misconduct, providing fresh insights into how external market factors influence institutional behavior.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12167,"journal":{"name":"Finance Research Letters","volume":"86 ","pages":"Article 108505"},"PeriodicalIF":6.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145109476","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The paradox of more credit, less growth: Investigating the credit-growth puzzle in developing countries","authors":"Elwaleed Ahmed Talha","doi":"10.1016/j.frl.2025.108507","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.frl.2025.108507","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper investigates the credit-growth puzzle across 121 developing countries from 2015 to 2024 using Panel Threshold Regression Models (PTRMs). It addresses two key questions: (i) At what level does credit expansion begin to hinder economic growth? and (ii) How does institutional quality influence this threshold? The analysis examines how credit’s impact on growth changes at varying credit-to-GDP ratios while controlling for macroeconomic, financial, and institutional factors. The baseline model identifies thresholds at 20 %, 40 %, and 68 %, with growth effects diminishing beyond 68 %. Incorporating institutional quality and financial depth controls raises these thresholds to 79 %, indicating that stronger institutions enhance a country’s credit absorption capacity. Sub-sample analysis confirms this. Countries with strong institutions have a higher threshold 73 %, whereas those with weaker institutions face a lower threshold 49 %. To address endogeneity, a Two-Stage Least Squares (2SLS) regression validates these nonlinear, institution-dependent credit-growth dynamics, underscoring the importance of pairing credit expansion with institutional reforms and financial sector strengthening for sustainable growth. The paper concludes with policy recommendations, urging central banks to enhance credit monitoring by integrating country-specific credit-to-GDP thresholds for timely, targeted interventions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12167,"journal":{"name":"Finance Research Letters","volume":"86 ","pages":"Article 108507"},"PeriodicalIF":6.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145155756","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The extreme risk spillover effect of international commodity price fluctuations on China's real economy: Discussing the effect of geopolitical conflicts","authors":"Chengliang Peng , Liangyu Deng , Han Hong","doi":"10.1016/j.frl.2025.108509","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.frl.2025.108509","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper investigates the extreme risk spillover effects from the international commodity market to China's real economy, with a particular focus on the impact of geopolitical conflicts. To this end, we utilize the Reuters CRB international commodity price index and China’s real economy industry price index from January 2019 to December 2024. A GARCH-Copula-CoVaR model is employed to quantify these extreme risk spillover effects. Furthermore, a sub-sample analysis is conducted to examine the evolution of spillover characteristics in the periods preceding and following major geopolitical conflicts. The findings suggest significant disparities and temporal variations in the extreme risk spillover effects of the international commodity market on various industries of China's real economy. On average, the energy and materials industries suffer the largest proportion of risk spillovers, as much as 59.9% and 56.4%, respectively. The Russia-Ukraine conflict triggers a substantial surge in extreme risk spillover effects across all industries of China's real economy, with the most affected industry experiencing an increase of 58.27%. However, the Israel-Palestine conflict does not result in an increased risk spillover effect for all industries. In quantifying extreme risk spillover, this study accounts for multiple characteristics of the return series and conducts a cross-sectoral analysis, thereby providing a critical foundation for precise macroeconomic policy formulation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12167,"journal":{"name":"Finance Research Letters","volume":"86 ","pages":"Article 108509"},"PeriodicalIF":6.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145217250","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abbas Valadkhani, S M Miraj Ahmmod, Janine Muir, John Webster
{"title":"Real estate ETFs as a pathway to property ownership for young Australians","authors":"Abbas Valadkhani, S M Miraj Ahmmod, Janine Muir, John Webster","doi":"10.1016/j.frl.2025.108439","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.frl.2025.108439","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We examine the viability of real estate exchange-traded funds (ETFs) as an alternative investment conduit for young Australians who face persistent affordability barriers to direct property ownership. Drawing on a Mixed Data Sampling (MIDAS) framework, we estimate the dynamic linkages between lagged monthly returns of listed real estate ETFs and quarterly house price movements across Australia’s major capital cities. The analysis incorporates six ETFs—two domestically listed (ticker codes: VAP and MVA) and four based in the U.S (IYR, REZ, RWR, and VNQ)—enabling a cross-market comparison of both domestic and international exposures. A general-to-specific modelling approach is employed to isolate statistically robust short- and long-run effects of ETF price movements on residential property returns. The empirical results reveal significant lagged relationships, as quarterly house prices in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane respond most strongly to positive movements in U.S. ETFs—especially REZ, VNQ, and IYR—with lags ranging from one to four months. These findings highlight the informational content and signalling value of global listed real estate markets in shaping domestic housing dynamics. For younger Australians unable to access traditional homeownership due to high deposit requirements and tightening credit conditions, real estate ETFs offer a clear and practical alternative—providing low-cost, liquid, and diversified exposure to the property market, with the ability to invest any amount, no matter how small.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12167,"journal":{"name":"Finance Research Letters","volume":"86 ","pages":"Article 108439"},"PeriodicalIF":6.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145103325","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Nonlinear spillovers in precious metals markets: A TCN-based extension of the Diebold–Yilmaz Framework","authors":"Josef Novotny, Petr Hajek","doi":"10.1016/j.frl.2025.108486","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.frl.2025.108486","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study proposes a nonlinear spillover framework for precious metals markets by integrating Temporal Convolutional Networks (TCNs) into the Diebold–Yilmaz approach. We simulate shocks to approximate the Generalized Forecast Error Variance Decomposition (GFEVD) without relying on linear restrictions. Using daily data from 2014–2023 on metal ETFs, futures, oil, equities, exchange rates, and sentiment indices, we uncover strong nonlinear connectedness, with a total spillover index of 95.22%. The VIX and the Shapiro–Sudhof–Wilson (SSW) sentiment index emerge as dominant net transmitters, while rolling analysis reveals shifts in spillovers around major macroeconomic and geopolitical events.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12167,"journal":{"name":"Finance Research Letters","volume":"86 ","pages":"Article 108486"},"PeriodicalIF":6.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145119103","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}