We present a common factor framework of convergence which we implement using principal components analysis. We apply this technique to a dataset of monthly inflation rates of EMU and the Eastern European New Member Countries (NMC) over 1996-2007. In the earlier years, the NMC rates moved...

We propose a common factor approach to analyse convergence, which we implement using principal components analysis. This technique has not been used to analyse convergence of time series but is shown to provide a useful new tool. We show how it is in many ways a more natural way of approaching...

Contingent Protection has grown to become an important trade restricting device. In the European Union, protection instruments like antidumping are used extensively. This paper analyses whether macroeconomic pressures may contribute to explain the variations in the intensity of antidumping...

Nach den aktuellen Prognosen der Experten für die in der Euroconstruct-Gruppe zusammengeschlossenen 19 europäischen Länder werden die Wohnungsfertigstellungen im laufenden Jahr zwar leicht zunehmen, danach gehen sie aber bis 2008 wieder etwas zurück. Ursächlich hierfür ist die anhaltende...