Nonlinear filtering techniques and the quasi maximum likelihood estimator (QMLE) are applied to the problem of estimating the parameters of quadratic models for the term structure of interest rates. It is assumed that zero coupon bond yields data have been contaminated by noise, which allows the...

This paper analyzes a model of investment with fixed investment costs and capital market imperfections. In this model finance influences the level of capital firms hold, as well as the frequency at which they invest. In consequence investment reacts nonlinearly with respect to shocks to...

We investigate convergence towards Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) within the Euro Zone and between the Euro Zone and its main partners using panel data methods that incorporate serial and contemporaneous correlation. We find strong rejections of the unit root hypothesis, and therefore evidence of...

This paper asks two questions. First, can we detect empirically whether the shocks recovered from the estimates of a structural VAR are fundamental? Second, can the problem of non-fundamentalness be solved by considering additional information? The answer to the firrst question is 'yes' and that...

In this paper a model of aggregate investment is derived which incorporates fixed investment costs and capital market imperfections on the micro-level. Aggregate investment reacts nonlinearily with respect to aggregate shocks to productivity and liquidity of firms. Employing non-parametric...

English Titel :The equilibrium rate of unemployment : a theorical discussion and an empirical evaluation for six OECD countries This paper examines the notion of 'equilibrium rate of unemployment' (ERU). An 'assymetric' wage-price setting based on a a wage Philips curve and on a price equation...

This paper examines the forecasting performance of GARCH’s models used with agricultural commodities data. We compare different possible sources of forecasting improvement, using various statistical distributions and models. We have chosen to confine our analysis on four indices which are the...

A methodology to calibrate multifactor interest rate model for transition countries is proposed. The usual methodology of calibration with implied volatility cannot be used as there are no markets for regularly traded derivatives. The existence of such a markets is essential for this...

A welfare analysis of a risky policy is impossible within a linear or linearized model and its certainty equivalence property. The presented algorithms are designed as a toolbox for a general model class. The computational challenges are considerable and I concentrate on the numerics and...

The captioned article was earlier published in “Economic Horizons” volume 18, #72 – AH 1418 – 1997 (4) Pages (65-78). I had some concerns about the article regarding the methodology adopted for analysis in deriving the macroeconomic parameters and the derivation and interpretation of...