We propose an empirical likelihood-based method of inference for comparing inequality between two populations. A series of Monte Carlo experiments are used to assess our method’s finite sample performance. We illustrate our approach using some Canadian household income data.

An optimal weighting scheme is proposed to construct economic, political and financial risk indices in emerging markets using an approach that relies on consistent tests for stochastic dominance efficiency. These tests are considered for a given risk index with respect to all possible indices...

This paper investigates the relationship between per-capita human capital investment and the birth rate. Since the consequences of higher fertility (birth rate) on per-capita human capital accumulation (the so-called dilution effect) are not the same (in sign and magnitude) across different...

This paper investigates empirically the impact of exchange rate volatility on Pakistan's exports to its major trading partners under the floating exchange rate regime for the period 1985 to 2001. Estimates of the co-integrating relations are obtained using Johansen's technique, and estimates of...

In this paper we investigate the intra-day properties of a recently proposed realized volatility concept using Istanbul Stock Exchange (ISE) 5-minute data returns for the period 1997 to 2000. Using GARCH as a benchmark, we confirm recent findings in the literature that realized volatility...

Within a semiparametric framework we propose a test of shape invariance of Engel curves, which is a necessary condition for base independence. Using Canadian family expenditure data for 1996 we reject shape invariance for the fuel and clothing share equations.

Using nonparametric estimation techniques we find that, in contrast to recent research, the finance-growth relationship is linear when the previously documented nonlinearity between initial per capita income, human capital and economic growth is taken into account.

We propose a test of bivariate stochastic dominance within a generalized framework for testing inequality restrictions, utilizing the covariance structure of the estimates of the joint distribution functions. Monte Carlo simulations and an empirical example assess its usefulness.

We explore the forces that shape the development of aspirations and the achievement of grades during high school and the role that these aspirations, grades, and other variables play in educational outcomes such as going to university and graduating. We find that parental expectations and peer...

We propose a new method to assess sovereign risk index in Eurozone countries using an approach that relies on consistent tests for stochastic dominance efficiency. The test statistics and the estimators are computed using mixed integer programming methods. The ranking of countries is performed...