Statistical tests in vector autoregressive (VAR) models are typically based on large-sample approximations, involving the use of asymptotic distributions or bootstrap techniques. After documenting that such methods can be very misleading even with fairly large samples, especially when the number...

This paper proposes a new nonparametric test for conditional independence, which is based on the comparison of Bernstein copula densities using the Hellinger distance. The test is easy to implement because it does not involve a weighting function in the test statistic, and it can be applied in...

We consider the problem of testing whether the observations X1, · · ·, Xn of a time series are independent with unspecified (possibly nonidentical) distributions symmetric about a common known median. Various bounds on the distributions of serial correlation coefficients are proposed:...

We propose methods for testing hypothesis of non-causality at various horizons, as defined in Dufour and Renault (1998, Econometrica). We study in detail the case of VAR models and we propose linear methods based on running vector autoregressions at different horizons. While the hypotheses...

In this paper, we use identification-robust methods to assess the empirical adequacy of a New Keynesian Phillips Curve (NKPC) equation. We focus on the Gali and Gertler's (1999) specification, on both U.S. and Canadian data. Two variants of the model are studied: one based on a...

In this paper, we provide evidence on two alternative mechanisms of interaction between returns and volatilities: the leverage effect and the volatility feedback effect. We stress the importance of distinguishing between realized volatility and implied volatility, and find that implied...

In the literature of financial economics, there has not been introduced yet a model which is capable of explaining at the same time high risk premium and low risk-free rate. Mehra and Prescott (1985) have found that it requires implausibly high levels of risk aversion on the part of the...

This paper analyses how the macro news affect the future price of the ten year Treasure bond future (TY), one of the most important US bonds. We consider different fundamentals and we analyze the effect of their forecasting errors conditionally on their sign and the momentum of the business...

This paper develops a general stochastic framework and an equilibrium asset pricing model that make clear how attitudes towards intertemporal substitution and risk matter for option pricing. In particular, we show under which statistical conditions option pricing formulas are not...

In this paper, we analyze hyper-return periods from 1976 to 1994 for 20 emerging stock markets. We define a hyper-return period as a calendar year during which a cumulative geometric return in excess of 70% is observed. According to this definition, the hyper-return periods represent 23% of the...