We follow the correct Jagannathan and Wang (2002) framework for comparing the estimates and specification tests of the classical Beta and Stochastic Discount Factor/Generalized Method of Moments (SDF/GMM) methods. We extend previous studies by considering not only single but also multifactor...

The aim of this work is to find patterns for products included in the customs tariffs of the USA and the EU (composed of over 5000 products disaggregated at the 6 digit-level) which share similarities, defined by a set of international trade variables, namely the index of revealed comparative...

The paper presents an estimate of the expenditure requirements to be used as a benchmark in the identification of best practices in the spending behavior of the municipalities. In order to distinguish the determinants of theoretical expenditure requirements with respect to those relating to...

The factor-augmented vector autoregressive (FAVAR) model, first proposed by Bernanke, Bovin, and Eliasz (2005, QJE), is now widely used in macroeconomics and finance. In this model, observable and unobservable factors jointly follow a vector autoregressive process, which further drives the...

We address the problem of selecting the common factors that are relevant for forecasting macroeconomic variables. In economic forecasting using diffusion indexes the factors are ordered, according to their importance, in terms of relative variability, and are the same for each variable to...

Global Value Chains are a dominant feature of today’s global economy, yet their empirical analysis is still incipient. Building on a recent OECD-WTO database and the results of an on-going research program at WTO, the present essay contributes at filling this gap, after introducing the main...

With the rise of global value chains, effective protection rates (EPRs) provide important insights on the impact of nominal tariffs on the competitiveness of industries. Building on the results of the OECD-WTO Trade in Value-Added TiVA database, the paper analyses the evolution of EPRs in about...

This paper proposes an approach to explore the strength of the financial system of Turkey against the possibility of financial disturbances appearing based on the construction of the Index of Financial Safety (IFS) of a country. For this purpose the macro-prudential approach, system analyses,...

The aim of this work is to find patterns for products included in the customs tariffs of the USA and the EU (composed of over 5000 products disaggregated at the 6 digit-level) which share similarities, defined by a set of international trade variables, namely the index of revealed comparative...

We contribute to the literature on procurement and contract management in the public sector by reporting on the current practice of public and private sector organisations and the outcomes of that practice. In particular, we chart the effectiveness of certain procurement and contract management...