The sum of two independent random variables with normal and half normal densities has a skew-normal density (Azzalini, 1985). In this note we show that this skew-normal density satisfies all assumptions required in establishing the asymptotic properties of the estimators discussed in...

We consider the estimation of a nonparametric stochastic frontier model with composite error density which is known up to a finite parameter vector. Our primary interest is on the estimation of the parameter vector, as it provides the basis for estimation of firm specific (in)efficiency. Our...

We consider the estimation of a semiparametric regression model where data is independently and identically distributed. Our primary interest is on the estimation of the parameter vector, where the associated regressors are correlated with the errors and contain both continuous and discrete...

Prior studies on the debt-equity choice of firms focus on capital market oriented economies. This paper examines whether firms in Japan, the world's largest bank-oriented economy, adjust their debt-equity choice towards the target. We find that the leverage rations of Japanese firms do adjust...

An interesting puzzle in estimating the effect of education on labor market earnings (Card (2001)) is that the 2SLS estimate for the return to schooling typically exceeds the OLS estimate, but the 2SLS estimate is fairly imprecise. We provide a new explanation that it could be due to the...

We propose nonparametric estimators for conditional value-at-risk (VaR) and expected shortfall (ES) associated with conditional distributions of a series of returns on a financial asset. The return series and the conditioning covariates, which may include lagged returns and other exogenous...