Research Article

Do Investors Care About Sustainability?

Volume: 12 Number: 3 February 8, 2026
TR EN

Do Investors Care About Sustainability?

Abstract

Purpose: This study seeks to investigate any significant changes in the stock returns of companies listed on the BIST Sustainability Index from 2014 to 2023. Within this framework, the research analyses the impact of inclusion in the index on investor behaviour, focusing on potential increases or decreases in stock returns to evaluate the market's reception of sustainability-oriented indices. Method: This study employs an event study methodology to assess the impact of a specific event—the inclusion of companies in an index—on stock returns. The analysis evaluates investor reactions by calculating abnormal returns during both pre- and post-event periods. To determine if there is a significant difference between the average abnormal returns in these periods, a paired sample t-test is utilized. This analysis will indicate whether inclusion in the index results in a change in stock performance. Findings: The analysis results indicate that the cumulative average abnormal returns (CAAR) of 18 companies exhibit a negative trend in the period from 10 to 5 days before and 10 to 5 days after their inclusion in the BIST sustainability index. The findings from the Paired Samples t-test reveal no significant change in stock returns when comparing the CARs values before and after the event. Conclusion: This indicates that there is no noticeable change in stock returns following the inclusion of companies in the BIST Sustainability Index. This scenario may also imply that investors do not react to the inclusion of these companies or that they are unable to achieve abnormal returns from these stocks.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Çağ University

Thanks

This study is supported by Research Fund of the Çağ University. (Project number: 2024-2-14)

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Sustainable Development

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

November 26, 2025

Publication Date

February 8, 2026

Submission Date

April 29, 2025

Acceptance Date

August 19, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 12 Number: 3

APA
Yılmaz Özekenci, S., & Konak, T. (2026). Do Investors Care About Sustainability? Istanbul Gelisim University Journal of Social Sciences, 12(3), 1063-1075. https://doi.org/10.17336/igusbd.1686674
AMA
1.Yılmaz Özekenci S, Konak T. Do Investors Care About Sustainability? IGUJSS. 2026;12(3):1063-1075. doi:10.17336/igusbd.1686674
Chicago
Yılmaz Özekenci, Süreyya, and Tuba Konak. 2026. “Do Investors Care About Sustainability?”. Istanbul Gelisim University Journal of Social Sciences 12 (3): 1063-75. https://doi.org/10.17336/igusbd.1686674.
EndNote
Yılmaz Özekenci S, Konak T (February 1, 2026) Do Investors Care About Sustainability? Istanbul Gelisim University Journal of Social Sciences 12 3 1063–1075.
IEEE
[1]S. Yılmaz Özekenci and T. Konak, “Do Investors Care About Sustainability?”, IGUJSS, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 1063–1075, Feb. 2026, doi: 10.17336/igusbd.1686674.
ISNAD
Yılmaz Özekenci, Süreyya - Konak, Tuba. “Do Investors Care About Sustainability?”. Istanbul Gelisim University Journal of Social Sciences 12/3 (February 1, 2026): 1063-1075. https://doi.org/10.17336/igusbd.1686674.
JAMA
1.Yılmaz Özekenci S, Konak T. Do Investors Care About Sustainability? IGUJSS. 2026;12:1063–1075.
MLA
Yılmaz Özekenci, Süreyya, and Tuba Konak. “Do Investors Care About Sustainability?”. Istanbul Gelisim University Journal of Social Sciences, vol. 12, no. 3, Feb. 2026, pp. 1063-75, doi:10.17336/igusbd.1686674.
Vancouver
1.Süreyya Yılmaz Özekenci, Tuba Konak. Do Investors Care About Sustainability? IGUJSS. 2026 Feb. 1;12(3):1063-75. doi:10.17336/igusbd.1686674

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