The objective of this study is to explore Roy and Shijin [(2018). A six factor assets pricing model. Borsa Istanbul Review, 18(3), 205–217] six-factor-model of asset pricing by extending Fama and French five-factor model to include human capital as a sixth factor in the context of Pakistan — an emerging country in Asia, and to test the validity of the six-factor asset pricing model in explaining time-series variations in portfolio returns of Pakistan equity market. For this purpose, we use Fama and Macbeth’s two-pass time series regression technique to test the validity and applicability of the six-factor model. The findings indicate that the six factors model is an appropriate asset pricing model for explaining time-series variations in Pakistan. Furthermore, the human capital (labor income growth rate) is significant for most of the portfolios constructed in this study, which implies that the human capital significantly explains time-series variations in portfolio returns. The empirical results encourage all types of investors and academics to incorporate human capital into asset pricing models. It helps in more accurately estimating the required rate of return, which can improve asset pricing models.

In recent years, the rapid and significant development of emerging markets has globally led to insight from potential investors and academicians seeking to assess these markets in terms of risk inheritance. Therefore, this study aims to explore the validity and applicability of the capital asset pricing model (henceforth CAPM) and multi-factor models, namely Fama–French models, in Pakistan’s stock market for the period of June 2010–June 2020. This study collects data on 173 non-financial firms listed on the Pakistan stock exchange, namely the KSE-100 index, and follows Fama-MacBeth’s regression methodology for empirical estimation. The empirical findings of this study conclude that small portfolios (small-size companies) earn considerably higher returns than big portfolios (large-size companies). Ultimately, the risk associated with portfolio returns is reported to be higher for small portfolios (small-size companies) than for big portfolios (large-size companies). According to the regression output, the CAPM was found to be valid for explaining the market risk premium above the risk-free rate. Similarly, the FF three-factor model was found to be valid for explaining time-series variation in excess portfolio returns. Later, we added human capital into FF three- and five-factor models. This study found that the human capital base six-factor model outperformed the other competing asset pricing models. The findings of this study indicate that small portfolios (small-size companies) earn more returns than big portfolios (large-size companies) to reward the investor for taking extra risks. Investors may benefit by timing their investments to maximize stock returns. Company investment in human capital adds reliable information, replicates the value of the company and, in the long term, helps investors make rational decisions.

Dividend decision is one of the very crucial factors that have a bearing on the long-term value of a firm. According to the traditional approach, firms that pay larger dividends happen to have escalated share prices compared to those that pay lower or no dividends. There have been previous studies conducted to explore what factors make a firm pay or ignore paying dividends for a given year. However, no consensus has been achieved so far by the researchers as to what really determines a firm"s dividend payout decision. This study is an attempt to re-examine some of the very major considerations a firm takes into account while deciding about the declaration, or otherwise, of dividends. To serve the purpose, the required financial information was obtained from "Financial Statement Analysis" of Non-financial companies published by the State Bank of Pakistan. Sixty one (61) firms were included in the sample having thorough six year financial data ranging from 2006 to 2011 which led to a total of 366 firm-year observations. Results of the study showed that out of the factors analyzed, Liquidity and Profitability had a significant association with the dividend payout policy of firms in the sample. Hence, it may be concluded that the two mentioned factors are the major determinants of a firm"s dividend policy.

In this paper, we examine whether jumps matter in both equity market returns and integrated volatility. For this purpose, we use the swap variance (SwV) approach to identify monthly jumps and estimated realized volatility in prices for both developed and emerging markets from February 2001 to February 2020. We find that jumps arise in all equity markets; however, emerging markets have more jumps relative to developed markets, and positive jumps are more frequent than negative jumps. In emerging markets, the markets with average volatility earn higher returns during jump periods; however, highly volatile markets earn higher returns during jump periods in developed markets. Furthermore, markets with low continuous returns and high volatility are more adversely affected during periods of negative jumps. The average ratio of jump variations to total variation shows considerable variations due to jumps. Integrated volatility is high during periods of negative jumps, and this pattern is consistent in both developed and emerging markets. Moreover, the peak volatility of stock markets is observed during periods of crises. The implication of this study is useful in the asset pricing model, risk management, and for individual investors and portfolio managers for both developed and emerging markets.