Finance and Financial Management Commons^™

Characteristics Based Factor Models - Comparison Of Estimation Procedures, Henri Ohl

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Understanding cross-sectional and time series variation of asset returns is fundamental in finance, particularly in asset pricing. This thesis explores the integration of factor theory with machine learning to deepen our comprehension of these dynamics. Characteristics based factor models offer a systematic framework for quantifying an asset's underlying risk-return structure, leveraging time-varying conditional information on model parameters carried by firm-specific characteristics. These models serve as valuable tools for discerning the driving components of an asset's expected excess return. Recent research established a novel methodology for consistent parameter estimation within this framework, only requiring a large cross-section but not a long …

Correlation Between Interest Rates And Bank Mergers, Maren Egging

Honors Theses

This paper examines the relation between macroeconomic factors and bank mergers and acquisitions from 1995 to 2022. I build upon the work of Etsy et al. (1994) to determine an updated analysis of how interest rates and stock market returns may influence merger activity in the banking segment. Using a dataset of 1,153 large bank mergers, I perform correlation analyses to draw three main conclusions. Firstly, bank mergers demonstrate weaker correlations with key macroeconomic variables than industrial mergers. Secondly, I observe material differences from the work of Etsy et al. with what appears to be significant changes in underlying relations. …

2024 Private Capital Markets Report, Craig R. Everett

Pepperdine Private Capital Markets Report

The Pepperdine private cost of capital survey was originally launched in 2007 and is the first comprehensive and simultaneous investigation of the major private capital market segments. This year’s survey specifically examined the behavior of senior lenders, asset-based lenders, mezzanine funds, private equity groups, venture capital firms, angel investors, privately-held businesses, investment bankers, business brokers, limited partners, and business appraisers. The Pepperdine survey investigated, for each private capital market segment, the important benchmarks that must be met in order to qualify for capital, how much capital is typically accessible, what the required returns are for extending capital in today’s economic …

Navigating Risk Terrain In The Twenties: Understanding Age-Linked Gender Dynamics In Risk Aversion Between 20-29 Year Old Men And Women​, Mollie Dostalek

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This research aims to explore the age and gender-linked dynamics of risk aversion in investment decisions among adults aged 20-29, focusing on the disparities between men and women. While most literature often portrays young men as having higher risk appetites, this study aims to evaluate such assumptions, shedding light on the nuanced relationship between gender and risk aversion across the early adult years. This research seeks to discern patterns and variations in risk aversion, investigating whether age plays a significant role in shaping these dynamics. By analyzing data that demonstrates the relationship between gender, age, and risk aversion, this study …

Impact Of Esg Ratings On Company Stock Price Returns, Benjamin Mccormick

Honors College Theses

ESG, Environmental, Social, Governance, is a new business philosophy that asserts that businesses have a duty to the environment, their communities, and to act legally and ethically. ESG rating agencies are built around grading public companies on their fulfillment of these objectives. Critics of ESG cite that ESG dilutes the primary purpose of business, to create value for shareholders. This paper uses regression analysis to test whether these perspectives are mutually exclusive. With stock returns as the dependent variable and ESG ratings as the dependent variable of interest, this paper finds a slight correlation between lower returns and companies in …

Financial Assessment Of Executive Decision-Making And Risk Management: A Case Study Of Autozone, Carolina Hollis

Honors Theses

This area of investigation pertains to the business organizational structure, executive summary, and risk management decisions of AutoZone within the 2022-2023 fiscal year. This analysis was performed by examining previous financial records, the yearly 10-K report, and various research databases regarding the financial performance of retail auto part companies. Many different sources were used to gather information about AutoZone. AutoZone has an intricate financial system that maintains the going concern by addressing current issues within the financial world to combat problems they could face in the future. These risk factors include inflation, interest rates, energy prices, political climates, and supply …

Case Study: The Strategy, Implementation, And Financial Performance Of The Bank Of North Dakota, Muhammad Umar Farooq, Faruk Arslan, Donovan Fuqua, Victor Pimentel

Mountain Plains Journal of Business and Technology

This case study seeks to investigate the factors enabling the survival of the Bank of North Dakota (BND), which is the only operational state-owned bank in the United States, and its implications on North Dakota economy's well-being. Since its foundation in 1919, the BND's mission has been to "promote agriculture, commerce, and industry in North Dakota." (Mission, Vision, Core Values, n.d.) This case explores the corporate strategy, its implementation, and the financial performance of the Bank of North Dakota from 2017-2021. By employing a case-study method, this paper draws on analysis and the comments of several elected representatives of North …

Cross-Market Effects Of Consolidation: Evidence From Banking, Andrew Bird, Ding Du, Stephen A. Karolyi

Accounting Faculty Articles and Research

The U.S. banking sector had nearly 70% fewer banks in 2022 relative to 1989, primarily because of mergers. We develop a methodology to estimate cross-market spillover effects of bank mergers and test whether the operations of incumbents facing consolidating competitors in one market are affected in other markets. We find that nonmerging banks within a market that are one standard deviation more exposed to mergers in other markets increase deposits by 2.1% relative to their less exposed competitors. Our methodology may be applied elsewhere to assess the aggregate impacts of industry consolidation and illustrates challenges with product-based or geographic market …

Effect Of Stakeholder Capitalism After The 2019 Business Roundtable Pledge, Maximiliano Villarreal-Castro

Honors Theses

There has been a shift towards a new model of corporate operation, one which prioritizes not only the company shareholders but anyone affected by its operations, i.e., stakeholders. Although many believe this is a path towards a more equitable future, others fear it could cause agency issues. As a result, companies that focus on ESG/Stakeholder Capitalism may experience the adverse effects of slow growth, costing shareholders, employers, and employees in the long term.

To determine if there was an impact from 'The Shift' to an ESG model by the major corporations, this study compared internal (accounting) and external (market) data. …

Effect Of Stakeholder Capitalism After The 2019 Business Roundtable Pledge, Maximiliano Villarreal-Castro

Poster Presentations

There has been a shift towards a new model of corporate operation, one which prioritizes not only the company shareholders but anyone affected by its operations, i.e., stakeholders. Although many believe this is a path towards a more equitable future, others fear it could cause agency issues. As a result, companies that focus on ESG/Stakeholder Capitalism may experience the adverse effects of slow growth, costing shareholders, employers, and employees in the long term.

To determine if there was an impact from 'The Shift' to an ESG model by the major corporations, this study compared internal (accounting) and external (market) data. …

A Financial Valuation Of Comcast (Cmcsa), Lucas Marcinkowski

Honors Thesis

The current valuation of the global entertainment and media industry revenue is $2.32 trillion. When investing in the entertainment and media industry, individuals think of the fame and glamorous side of the entertainment industry. However, the industry is fiercely competitive and continuously evolving. Through examining the historical financial statement of the publicly traded media and technology conglomerate Comcast, as well as its competitors, I forecasted the future financial valuation of Comcast utilizing the Discounted Free Cash Flow and Public Comparable Firm Multiples models. This analysis examines the effects of the pandemic and other economic conditions on the entertainment and media …

The Oncology Etf: How Retail Traders Can Utilize Custom Growth Etf’S, Samuel Sprute

Honors Thesis

Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are potent investment vehicles to generate returns from systematic gains in any market. However, they have historically been products created and distributed by large financial institutions. Due to various drawbacks of institutionally available ETFs, many retail traders have begun to create their own custom ETFs. These custom ETFs operate as mini-portfolios and have significant potential to generate alpha, or positive risk-adjusted return, when positioned specifically in growth markets.

In this work I aim to show the potential for custom ETFs in retail trading. In achieving this goal, I have broken this work into two sections. The …

Specifying And Estimating Vector Autoregressions Using Their Eigensystem Representation, Leo Krippner

Sim Kee Boon Institute for Financial Economics

This article introduces the principles and mechanics of the eigensystem vector autoregression (EVAR) framework, where a VAR may be specified and estimated directly via its eigenvalue and eigenvector parameters. Using explicit constraints on the eigensystem permits control of a VAR ís allowable dynamics, which is illustrated empirically with standard and time-varying VAR estimations specified to be always non-explosive.

Financial Self-Efficacy Among Puerto Rican Women In The United States: An Ethnographic Action-Based Research Study, Melinda Jimenez Perez

Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this ethnographic action research study was to better understand the financial self-efficacy of Puerto Rican women in the United States. There is a gap in the literature in identifying the relationship between middle-class Puerto Rican women and financial literacy. In a pilot study, four major findings emerged from the survey about Puerto Rican women and their relationship with finances: (a) as children, mothers taught them to save, and as adults, they rely on the male figures in their families; (b) the traditional education systems did not provide financial education; (c) the childhood culture of poverty and scarcity …

Let's Move! An Analysis Into The Relationship Between Physical Activity, Work-Related Outcomes, And Mental Health, Colin Elliott

Honors Projects in Psychology

The Affordable Care Act of 2010 subsidized the use of Corporate Wellness Programs (CWPs) as a way to combat the growing obesity problem currently plaguing the United States. Despite this subsidization, these CWPs offered by employers are still lacking in both quality of programs and the number of programs that are offered to employees. 52% of all companies in the United States sponsor a CWP, and these numbers decline to approximately 28% of all companies offering a physical activity program for employees. Current literature highlights the benefits of physical activity, but there is lack of research on CWPs and their …

2023 Community Bank Case Study Competition, Joseph Kelly

Finance Undergraduate Honors Theses

We studied a community bank in Danville, Arkansas named Chambers Bank. This was part of a 2023 Community Bank Case Study Competition, which illustrated the financial analysis, staffing, and training of the bank. We learned about technology implemented into the bank, and how the bank works with customers locally to ensure the best quality care.

Dreams And Livelihoods In Rural Areas Require Capital, Too: An Investigation Into The Role Of Diminishing Community Banks, Financial Education, And Access To Capital In Rural Areas, Jackson Walton

Finance Undergraduate Honors Theses

Individuals in rural communities face unprecedented economic challenges due to a lack of financial education and a decline in the prevalence of community banks. These problems have continuously grown exponentially without successful attempt at remedy. The community banks that once served as the center of economic activity and prevalence in rural communities are leaving these communities quickly- leaving many without access to lines of credit, personal relationship banking, and without necessary financial education in a world with more financial options than ever. Access to banking and higher financial literacy proficiency rates are almost directly linked to better financial outcomes like …

Financial Consulting Internship In Valencia: Alternative Investments And Ai, Mason Sidney Rike

Finance Undergraduate Honors Theses

During the summer before my senior year, I had the opportunity to work as a research analyst in the finance department of TuaTeam, a financial and strategic consulting firm in Valencia, Spain. TuaTeam is a relatively new firm that serves its clients in a wide range of areas, from strategic restructuring and business model development to finding funding for future projects and identifying/evaluating potential investment opportunities. TuaTeam also works closely with communities around Spain to foster innovation and development among youth and professionals seeking to gain experience in new trends in technology and cultural enrichment. The company currently holds classes …

The Mathematics Of Financial Portfolio Optimization Incorporating Environmental, Social, And Governance Score Information, Ian Driskill

Master's Theses

We numerically investigate the effects that Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) scores have on portfolio optimization with Modern Portfolio Theory assumptions and how ESG scores correlate with the market returns of a rated company's stock. Additionally, we review and analyze a research paper published in the Journal of Financial Economics regarding ESG investing titled “Responsible investing: The ESG-efficient frontier” by Pedersen, Fitzgibbons, and Lukasz. Our overall goal is provide insight for socially responsible inclined investors, to help them understand what ESG scores tell us and how those scores may effect their overall investment returns."

2023 Community Bank Case Study Competition, Alivia Brewer

Finance Undergraduate Honors Theses

Study of Chambers Bank, located in Danville, Arkansas for the 2023 Community Bank Case Study Competition. This paper covers financial analysis, training and technology, as well as staffing.