Oil price uncertainty and corporate cash policy: does Islamic financial development matter?

PurposeThis study investigates the impact of oil price uncertainty on corporate cash holdings. Moreover, it examines whether the effect of oil price volatility differs between Shariah-compliant corporations (SCCs) and non-Shariah-compliant corporations (NSCs). It also explores the role of Islamic financial development in the home countries of these corporations in this relationshipDesign/methodology/approachThe study utilizes a sample of non-financial firms listed in eight emerging economies, for the period between 2013 and 2019. A static, ordinary least squares, and dynamic, Generalized Method of Moments models have been employed to test the hypotheses of the study.FindingsThe findings reveal that, on average, high oil price uncertainty influences both SCCs and NSCs. However, SCCs are more severely affected than NSCs. Notably, during periods of high oil price uncertainty, SCCs reserve more cash than their NSC counterparts. Additionally, the Islamic financial development of the country moderates the severity of the impact of oil price uncertainty on SCCs. Further analysis suggests that the impact of oil price uncertainty is more pronounced for firms operating in oil-exporting countries.Research limitations/implicationsCorporate managers should build a liquidity strategy that allows them to deal with oil price uncertainty. Also, the findings of the study highlight the importance for Islamic financial development of Islamic countries. The improved Islamic financial development of the country improves access to capital markets for shariah compliant firms and hence, reduces their need for holding excessive large amount of cash asset.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the growing literature on the effects of oil price uncertainty on corporate cash holding policy by highlighting the roles of Shariah compliance status and Islamic financial development in this relationship. It is the first to explore the joint relationship between oil price uncertainty, Shariah compliance, and corporate cash holding policy.