The purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between market structure and performance in the banking sector using data from Pakistani commercial banks. Investigating the effect of changes in the market structure on profitability is based on the structure-conduct-performance (SCP) and efficient-structure (E-S) hypotheses. We have taken a sample of 20 scheduled commercial banks incorporated in Pakistan to examine the above hypotheses, using the annual and pooled data for a period of 9 years from year 1996-2004. Three measures of bank's performance are utilized: return on assets (ROA), return on capital (ROC) and return on equity (ROE). We have used concentration ratio (CR) to measure structure-conduct-performance (SCP) hypothesis and market share to measure efficient-structure (E-S) hypothesis. We have also used control variables to capture market specific characteristics such as bank size, market size, risk to owners, liquidity measure, market risk, and market growth. Using regression analysis, we have found a positive relationship of concentration ratio (CR) with profitability. In light of these results, we conclude that there is a positive relationship between profitability and concentration.The results of market share (MS) which is used for efficient structure (E-S) hypothesis explain a negative relationship with profitability. The results of our analysis do not support the efficient structure (E-S) hypothesis. The empirical findings suggest that market concentration determines the profitability in Pakistani commercial banks. Hence, we also conclude that there is a negative relationship between competition and profitability in the Pakistani commercial banks. The leading banks are still enjoying the state of monopoly. But, the market trend shows that this state will not continue for a longer period as private commercial banks have started to compete with the existing top commercial banks.

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This paper examines the long-run relationship between carbon dioxide (CO2) emission and economic growth, financial development, trade, energy consumption, and foreign direct investment in the case of Lithuania by employing time series data of 1989-2018. In particular, this paper aims to test whether the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) relationship for economic growth and financial development holds or not. The autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds testing procedure is employed for the empirical analysis. The results validate the existence of EKC in the long-run as well as in the short-run since there is an inverted U-shaped relation between CO2 emissions and economic growth. Conversely, we could not validate the EKC relationship between CO2 emissions and financial development. Trade and energy consumption are other significant determinants of CO2 emissions. The causality analysis results show that unidirectional causality runs from economic growth to CO2 emissions and trade to CO2 emissions. The validity of the EKC hypothesis indicates that Lithuania can achieve short-term, medium-term, and long-term climate change mitigation and adoption goals and objectives approved by the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania without deteriorating its economic growth. 8.5 %, 6.7 %, 4.5 %, 3.7 %, 3.5 %, 2.4 %, 1.9 %, and 0.6 % respectively. These estimates are based on the Eurostat data. For further details on Lithuania

Abstract. This study investigates the role of emotional intelligence (EI) in consumers’ satisfaction with life (SWL), particularly during the COVID-19 crisis. It looks into the relationship between consumer EI, impulsive buying (IB), and SWL, particularly during the dreadful COVID-19 pandemic. It also reflects on the mediating role of IB in the indirect association between consumer EI and SWL. The data were collected from 483 public-sector university graduates in Islamabad, Pakistan. Findings reveal a significant association between consumer EI and IB as well as between consumer EI and SWL. In addition, consumer IB behavior played a significant mediating role in the indirect relationship between consumer EI and SWL: When consumers have a high level of EI, their involvement in IB is low, and they are more satisfied with their lives. This study helps consumers to understand how to effectively manage emotions ensuing during shopping experiences to control their buying behavior. The study also broadens our understanding of how EI can help consumers to remain satisfied during the COVID-19 crisis.

The dependence of various stock markets plays a vital role in diversification while selecting securities in an investor's portfolio. This study examines interdependence among the East Asian stock markets in relation to the Karachi Stock Exchange. Monthly data ranging from 2000 to 2010 is included and tested in this paper. This relationship is tested by using descriptive statistics and correlation matrix. Data stationarity is ensured by Unit Root Test. Evidence from Granger Causality and Impulse Response Test prove no relationship between KSE and stock markets of the East Asian countries while there exists certain level of unidirectional relationship from Japan to China and from Japan to Pakistan.