Generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH) models are widely used in financial markets. Parameters of GARCH models are usually estimated by the quasi-maximum likelihood estimator (QMLE). In recent years, economic theory often implies equilibrium between the levels of time...

This dissertation consists of three essays on modeling and parameter estimation for covariance non-stationary processes. The first essay considers the non-linear deformation of time scale for G(lambda)-stationary processes developed by Jiang, Gray and Woodward [2006]. After the appropriate...

This paper suggests and implements a method for dealing with the problems which are encountered during the estimation of dynamic, discrete choice models with serially correlated unobservables. The method takes advantage of Gaussian quadrature integral approximation techniques and is based on a...

Valuing American options is a central problem in option pricing since the early-exercise feature is very common among financial or insurance derivatives products. For high-dimensional American options, Monte Carlo simulation is generally regarded as the only viable approach to price them, and...

The financial crisis of 2007-2008 led to extraordinary government intervention in firms and markets. The scope and depth of government action rivaled that of the Great Depression. Many traded markets experienced dramatic declines in liquidity leading to the existence of conditions normally...

This paper provides new evidence on the influence of macroeconomic environment and institutional quality on stock market development, using data from 14 MENA countries over the period of 1990-2007. Using both panel data and instrumental variable techniques, we find that income level, saving...

The effects of "localized depletion" of a pelagic fishery (herring) on a non-extractive marine activity (tourism) are investigated. Proponents of the localized depletion theory claim that intense fishing effort can lead to areas that are unsuitable for predators like tuna, groundfish, and...

Replaced with revised version of paper 07/24/09.

Replaced with revised version of paper 08/06/10.

Neyman and Scott (1948) define the incidental parameter problem. In panel data with T observations per individual and unobservable individual-specific effects, the inconsistency of the maximum likelihood estimator of the common parameters is in general of the order 1/T. This paper considers the...