In the empirical literature, not much support is found for the uncovered interest parity. Especially with free floating exchange rates, the forward rate is a biased predictor of the future exchange rate. This phenomenon can both be explained by an absence of rational expectations or by risk...

Dutch Abstract: Financieel analisten publiceren adviezen om aandelen te kopen, houden of verkopen. Ongeveer de helft van alle gepubliceerde adviezen betreft een koopadvies. De publicatie van deze adviezen gaat gepaard met buitengewone aandelenrendementen, waarbij opwaarderingen doorgaans...

Dutch Abstract: Marktwaarde gewogen indexen mogen zich al jaren in grote belangstelling verheugen. Doordat actief beheerde aandelenmandaten regelmatig teleurstelden, gaven steeds meer professionele en particuliere beleggers de voorkeur aan goedkope beleggingsproducten die de traditionele,...

In this paper the relationship between stock prices and house prices is analysed for six countries over the years 1976-2001. We find that both asset prices show a positive long-term relationship, which can partly be explained by common macro-economic factors such as credit, consumption and...

The 1994 Northridge earthquake sent ripples to insurance conpanies everywhere. This was one in a series of natural disasters such as Hurricane Andrew which together with the problems in Lloyd's of London have insurance companies running for cover. This paper presents a calibration of the U.S....