This study empirically examines the internal and external factors of Islamic banks’ financial stability during the time frame from 2006 to 2017 in the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) region. The stability of Islamic banks was determined by the Z-score, which is one of the most well-known financial stability indicators. Using multiple regression analysis, it is shown that capital adequacy ratio and liquidity positively impact the Z-score of Islamic banks, whilst size, governance and level of concentration have a negative impact. This study recommends raising the capital and the liquidity level of Islamic banks as it helps to promote the financial stability of Islamic banks.

The present study provides new empirical evidence of bank stability measure for 12 Islamic and conventional banks in the MENA region, for a period from 2005 to 2014. The most known method of measuring bank stability is using CAMELS variables; it was adopted by multiple central banks. After calculating financial ratios for the CAMELS framework, we calculate the average for each variable for the two types of banks, for three periods: Pre-crisis 2005-2006, Subprime Crisis 2007-2008, and Post-Crisis 2009-2014, to examine the effect of the crisis on the soundness of Islamic and conventional banks.

This study investigates the impact of COVID-19 and the policies implemented by the authorities on financial markets during the different waves of the pandemic. We found significant correlations between COVID-19 new cases and the volatility of financial markets in most of the studied samples during the three studied waves. We also found that financial markets in developed countries present a significant positive market vision, and those of emerging economies present mixed results.

This article aims to study the impact of peg structure on volatility behaviour and crisis vulnerability, considering the COVID-19 economic context. We adopt a comparative analysis of volatility behaviour using GARCH family models and the ICSS Algorithm for the cases of Morocco and Tunisia. Our main finding is that peg characteristics aren't the unique parameters impacting volatility behaviour and the exposition to the crisis. Furthermore, we detect different variations in volatility parameters as a result of the contrasting economic contexts and COVID-19 economic fallouts. Finally, we present some interesting policy implications, and we suggest some leads for future research.

The Matthew effect is a theory created by sociologist Robert K. Merton (1968) to denote that initial benefits of various kinds accumulate over time. He describes the economic and social phenomenon whereby the riches tend to get richer and the powerful more powerful. The Matthew effect, as a concept, is used today to describe the general model of self-reinforcing inequalities linked to economic wealth, power, prestige, knowledge or any other rare or valued resource. In this research, we will use Merton's theory to analyze the transient inequalities generated following the COVID-19 pandemic which materialized the Matthew effect in all its glory by focusing more specifically on Morocco. We based our analysis on a review of the literature that dealt with indicators of fluctuating wealth. The indices raised during the pandemic showed that inequalities have been reinforced. The inequality gap is now deeper and deeper.