Returns of investment alternatives in Turkey for the period 1986-1991

Abstract

ABSTRACT RETURNS OF INVESTMENT ALTERNATIVES IN TURKEY FOR THE PERIOD 1986-1991 KUÇUKKAYA, HALIT ENGİN MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION FEBRUARY, 1992 In parallel to the economic growth of Turkey, Turkish capital market is evolving considerably. New financial instruments are becoming public in addition to the traditional investment alternatives. Especially common stocks are gaining popularity but they are not yet considered as an alternative to traditional investment tools such as bank deposits or gold. Common stocks are seen as an alternative to the speculative investment tools such as foreign currencies. This study focus on the returns of five alternative investment tools in Turkey, between 1986- 1991. This alternatives are common stocks, bank deposit, gold, US Dollar, and DM. After showing the return and the associated risk levels of these alternatives, as well as trends and the relationships among them, a set of observations and recommendations are given about the Turkish capital market and especially Istanbul Stock Exchange, which is the only stock market in Turkey. Results of this empirical study shows that common stocks in Turkey are not a good investment alternative for risk averse investors, they can only be used as a speculative tool. Ordinary investor will be better of by keeping their money in interest bearing bank deposits.