Traditional models of the labor market assume fixed firing costs. This paper explores the implications of variable firing costs, building this new assumption into a matching model with endogenous job destruction. The available evidence on the outcomes of cases brought to labor courts suggests...

We show theoretically that variable production costs lower systematic risk of firms' cash flows if capital and variable inputs are complementary in firms’ production and input prices are sufficiently pro-cyclical. In our dynamic model, this operating hedge effect is weaker for more profitable...

Why do residential mortgages carry a fixed or an adjustable interest rate? To answer this question we study unique data from 103 banks belonging to 73 different banking groups across twelve countries in the euro area. To explain the large cross-country and time variations observed, we...

Why do residential mortgages carry a fixed or an adjustable interest rate? To answer this question we study unique data from 103 banks belonging to 73 different banking groups across twelve countries in the euro area. To explain the large cross-country and time variation observed, we distinguish...

Understanding cost behavior is a fundamental element of cost accounting and the management of a firm. Deviating from the traditional assumption of symmetric cost behavior, numerous recent research studies show that costs are sticky, that is, they decrease less when sales fall than they increase...

We show theoretically that variable production costs lower systematic risk of firms' cash flows if capital and variable inputs are complementary in firms' production and input prices are pro-cyclical. In our dynamic model, this operating hedge effect is weaker for more profitable firms, giving...