Journal of Islamic Contemporary Accounting and Business
Vol. 4 No. 2 (2026): JICAB

Liquidity and Earnings: How Cash Holdings Influence Profitability in Southeast Asian Financial Firms

Asliddinjon Husanov (Tashkent State University of Economics - Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia)
Arim Nasim (Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia-Indonesia)
Denny Andriana (Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia-Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
22 Sep 2026

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between cash holdings and profitability among financial firms across Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. Employing a quantitative approach utilizing secondary data from publicly available financial statements, the research analyzes a comprehensive sample of publicly listed financial institutions from each country. Descriptive statistics and linear regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the impact of cash holdings on firm performance. The empirical findings indicate a positive and statistically significant relationship, demonstrating that cash holdings are strongly associated with profitability. Cross-country comparisons reveal that firms based in Singapore maintain the highest average levels of both cash holdings and profitability, followed by those in Malaysia and Indonesia. These results reinforce the applicability of liquidity management theory, trade-off theory, and the pecking order framework within the Southeast Asian financial sector, while offering practical insights for regulators aiming to enhance financial system resilience through effective liquidity policies.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jicab

Publisher

Subject

Economics, Econometrics & Finance

Description

The Journal of Islamic Contemporary Accounting and Business is published by the Sharia Accounting program at the Institut Agama Islam Tazkia. To ensure the quality of the papers published, the journal employs a double-blind review process, where the identities of both the authors and reviewers are ...