This paper examines point and density forecasts from the European Central Bank's Survey of Professional Forecasters. We derive individual uncertainty measures along with individual point- and density-based measures of disagreement. We also explore the relationship between uncertainty and...

This paper uses multi-level factor models to characterize within- and between-block variations as well as idiosyncratic noise in large dynamic panels. Block-level shocks are distinguished from genuinely common shocks, and the estimated block-level factors are easy to interpret. The framework...

State price density (SPD) contains important information concerning market expectations. In existing literature, a constrained estimator of the SPD is found by nonlinear least squares in a suitable Sobolev space. We improve the behavior of this estimator by implementing a covariance structure...

This paper uses multi-level factor models to characterize within- and between-block variations as well as idiosyncratic noise in large dynamic panels. Block-level shocks are distinguished from genuinely common shocks, and the estimated block-level factors are easy to interpret. The framework...

A new class of regression type models termed essentially linear models is proposed. The class is characterized by geometric considerations. Within the class the distribution of the maximum likelihood estimator is easily approximated by a natural extension of the pstar-formula even though the MLE...

Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient (α) is commonly engaged to measure the reliability in social, behavioural and education sciences. It is found to be observed that every study call for measuring a construct through multiple items. The estimation methods of Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient (α) and...

The paper tests if the theory known as Pecking Order Theory provides empirical explanation for the capital structure of Brazilian firms. According to this theory, the capital structures would result from a hierarchy of financial decisions where internally generated resources would have first...

The paper documents the specification and estimation of an econometric model of the Brazilian stock market (Bovespa) using a GARCH(1,1) model. We used quarterly data for an estimation period spanning from January 1995 to December 2003. The empirical results show that GDP growth, exchange-rate...

We study a market model in which the volatility of the stock may jump at a random time from a fixed value to another fixed value. This model was already described in the literature. We present a new approach to the problem, based on partial derivative equations, which gives a different...

Campbell and Shiller average 10 years of real S&P 500 earnings to construct its Cyclically Adjusted P/E ratio, or CAPE, which they then use to forecast its future 10-year returns. In essence, Campbell and Shiller kill two birds with one large stone - they use the 10-year average to reduce noise...