This paper assesses the validity of the constant elasticity of substitution (CES) and the Cobb-Douglas (CD) production functions in modelling the aggregate production function and computing the total factor productivity (TFP) in South Africa for the period 1970-2006. The CES function is...

In this paper, the effects of reducing tariffs are analysed through a Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model of the DRC. The specific DRC Formal-Informal Model (DRCFIM) is a multi-sectoral computable general equilibrium model that captures the observed structure of the DRC’s formal...

This paper assesses the extent of the transmission of equity market volatility shocks between BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) countries to infer the degree of risk sharing and the possibility of a beneficial financial integration between its member countries. The paper...

This paper compares the forecasting performance of three structural econometric models, namely the non-parametric, ARIMAX and the Kalman filter models, in predicting stock returns in an emerging market economy using South Africa as case study. The proposed models have different functional forms....

This paper provides an assessment of the comparative effectiveness of four econometric methods in estimating the optimal hedge ratio in an emerging equity market, particularly the South African equity and futures markets. The paper bases the effectiveness of hedging on volatility reduction and...

This paper examines how the short-term and long-term interest rates react to supply, demand and monetary policy shocks in South Africa. Use is made of the impulse response functions obtained from the structural vector autoregressive model with long-term restrictions. We find a positive...

number of studies have contended that it is challenging to explain exchange rate movement with macroeconomic fundamentals. A naive model such as a random walk forecasts exchange rate movements more reliably than existing structural models. This paper confirms that it is possible to improve the...

The Unbiased Forward Rate Hypothesis (UFRH) stipulates that the forward rates should be a perfect predictor for the future spot rates. A number of studies have tested the UFRH and foreign market efficiency and concluded that the hypothesis does not hold. This phenomenon is known as the UFRH...

Concerns have been raised in regards to how to redress a decreasing trend in national saving in South Africa. A number of authors have suggested that redressing government saving, through fiscal discipline characterised by a low government budget deficit ratio, should be a key in redressing the...