In future value calculations, investors often assume that the real return is constant over the planning horizon. We examine whether this assumption is appropriate. Our results suggest that investors can expect to earn the historical average real return provided their horizon is at least 15 years...

We review the literature on business activity and disasters, and specifically hurricanes. An overview of the papers in the special issue on Economic Loss and Hurricane Katrina is provided.

This research documents the time series behavior of unemployment rates for Hispanics and whites over the period of 1976-2008. In particular, we provide insight as to how Hispanics fared relative to whites by examining the unemployment rate, the unemployment rate gap, and the cyclical component...

Metal roofs are highly susceptible to hurricane wind damage. Roof damage is a particularly important element in the estimation of economic losses as even minor roof damage can augment the total loss due to entrance of rain and subsequent interior and content loss. Dabral (2007) developed a...