The authors contend that the theory of optimum currency areas (OCA) provides a useful framework for discussions of monetary integration. The authors summarize the historical development of monetary integration and discuss possible future development. Theoretical issues, such as those raised in...

The article is concerned with analysis of independence of central banks of the EU Member States within the framework of the ESCB, as well as independence and responsibility of the ECB, and suggests an alternative institutional embodiment of its position, reflecting the specific framework of the...

The article summarizes recognized empirical knowledge about the causes of currency crises, making use of several extensive empirical studies carried out in the late 1990s, and examines select theoretical models of such causation. The results are divided into three levels of causes: general risk...

The paper provides an introduction to essays published in this volume, which focus on nominal and real convergence in transition countries. The paper is based on the idea that the process of convergence can, to a large extent, be viewed via developments in real exchange rates. Key issues...

The article deals with areas of initial public offerings of shares and their influence on the development of stock markets in the countries of the Visegrad Four. IPO, also known as the "IPO" is the process of newly issued shares of the stock markets. Development of the newly made IPO affects not...

The paper examines the potential of stochastic simulation methods and Earnings at Risk method in risk analysis of farming business. The results revealed a different nature of yield and price risks in agriculture. The natural yields are low spatially correlated and the rate of yield risk depends...

Informed trading is one of the key factors that can obstruct the efficient functioning of a financial market. The authors examine the extent of informed trading in the Czech Republic, where the financial market is alleged to be driven by informed trading. In applying the model developed by...

Hedging strategies represent basic instrument used toward eliminating financial risk. Increasing volatility of financial markets and their globalization also lead to higher financial risks. These aspects are especially important for transitional and small open economies. The basic goal of the...

This paper considers the interaction among equity markets in the Czech Republic and those in developed countries. Also considered are cross-listed securities traded in the Czech Republic whose global depository receipts (GDRs) are listed in London. The models used include Granger causality,...