We study optimal hedging design for returns on an Italian equity mutual fund index since 2008. Alternative hedging instruments include one-month futures contracts for FTSE-MIB, FTSE100 and Xetra DAX. We use bivariate models of our Italian equity mutual fund index and each hedging instrument to...

Some researchers, for example, Koop [1], and Sims [2], have advocated for Bayesian alternatives to unit-root testing over the classical approach using the augmented Dickey-Fuller test (ADF). This paper studies the power of what Koop [1] has called the Objectiveʺ Bayesian approach to unit-root...

This paper presents a study of Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Bayesian Network (BN) for use in stock index prediction. The data from Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) market are applied as a case study. Based on the rescaled range analysis, the neural network was used to capture the...

This paper introduces a new parametric measure of productivity change using the hyperbolic distance function. More specifically, the paper first estimates a stochastic translog hyperbolic distance function, which satisfies regularity conditions, using the Bayesian approach. Then it derives an...

This paper attempts to provide an economic interpretation of the factors that drive the movements of interest rates of bonds of different maturities in a continuous-time no-arbitrage term structure model for Chile. The dynamics of yields in the model are explained by two latent factors, namely...

In this paper we describe the pattern of creation and destruction of Chilean firms between 1999 and 2006. In addition, we construct transition matrices among different firm sizes based on tax information. It has to be noted that the available data for this study is probably the closest to what...

While many studies have demonstrated the impact of weather conditions along with lunar phases on stock markets, this paper explores the impact of lunar phases on the bank lending channel for a sample of European banks, using the GMM estimator methodology, suggested in Arellano and Bond (1991),...

This paper investigates the extent of operating cost inefficiencies in the public provision of American higher education. The analysis employs panel data on American research and doctoral granting universities spanning four academic years, 2005-06 through 2008-09. Translog cost frontiers are...

In this study, we used the PSTR (panel smooth transition regression) model to investigate the nonlinear relationship between beta (systematic risk) and returns (world market excess returns) for net oil export and net oil import groups. We set the volatility of world market excess return as the...

The purpose of this paper is to employ the Meta-Frontier Cost Function to compare the bank efficiencies in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand during the period of 2002-2009. We propose two new variables: income on loans and non-performing loans, to identify whether the banks are both cost and...