This paper analyses the effects of labor intensity on a firm's operating risk and its expected stock returns. We isolate a pure labor intensity effect by using a relative measure with respect to the three-digit industry median level. We show that labor intensity is positively associated with...

We study the effects of product market concentration and financing constraints, separately and jointly, on the business cycle sensitivity of firms' operations. We confirm that the sensitivity is higher for firms in industries with both a low concentration and a relatively even distribution of...

The state of development of rental markets as a genuine alternative to home-ownership stands out as a particularly relevant institutional factor shaping the outcome of the housing market and playing a balancing role and alleviating house price pressures. This is especially the case when it...

The current crisis revealed the unsustainability of private sector indebtedness levels, fuelled, in the recent past, by a prolonged period of rapid credit expansion in some EU Member States. The deleveraging process that is now taking place, although necessary, stands as a source of concern in...

The current crisis revealed the unsustainable levels of private sector indebtedness, fuelled by a prolonged period of rapid credit expansion during the upturn phase in some EU Member States. The subsequent deleveraging process now taking place, although necessary, stands as a source of concern...

The volume collects the essays presented at the 15th Workshop on Public Finance organised by Banca d'Italia in Perugia from 4 to 6 April 2013. The workshop focused on the link between fiscal policy and macroeconomic imbalances and comprised four sessions. The first session concentrated on the...