Conducting Business with God: Is God Blessing Islamic Banks with Better Financial Performance than Conventional Banks?

Abstract

This study aims to compare the financial performance between Islamic and conventional banks listed at Kuwait stock exchange over the period 2011-2018 using the modified DuPont model of financial analysis which is based on the analysis of return on equity (ROE). Unlike previous studies where researchers compared the performance on a bank-to-bank basis, this study examines the aggregate ratios of Islamic banks and compare it to aggregate ratios of conventional banks. The study also adds volatility into the model since consistency in returns indicated a more stable sector. Results obtained from this study showed that conventional banks in Kuwait had a better mean performance during the study period in terms of both return on assets (ROA) and return in equity (ROE), Islamic banks also showed a higher deviation in these two ratios resulting in a lower Sharpe ratio. While the results showed no statistically significant mean difference between Islamic and conventional banks in terms of return on assets (ROA), the results also showed a statistically significant difference in mean return on equity (ROE) between the two sub-sectors. On the other hand, Islamic banks showed an impressive improvement in their ratios during the last three years of the study period which impose a real threat to conventional banks in the future.