Business Commons^™

Some Comments On The Pricing Of An Exotic Excess Of Loss Treaty, Jean-Francois Walhin

Journal of Actuarial Practice (1993–2006)

This paper uses a multivariate analog of Panjer's algorithm to develop a method for pricing a complex excess of loss treaty. The treaty is such that some layers inure to the benefit of other layers. The structure of this treaty is discussed. Numerical examples are provided.

Communicating Effectively With Words, Numbers, And Pictures: Drawing On Experience, Karolina Duklan, Michael A. Martin

Journal of Actuarial Practice (1993–2006)

In this paper, we discuss techniques for developing effective communication skills, focusing in particular on technical writing, the use of graphics, and presentation. The key principles of effective communication that we propose to actuaries are as follows:

• Identify your audience and consider their needs and abilities;

• Focus on substantive content;

• Choose appropriate communication tools;

• Use language that is simple, concrete, and familiar;

• Integrate text, numbers, and graphics;

• Respond to information complexity creatively.

We focus in particular on the use of graphics as a communications tool as they are an efficient and potentially highly effective …

Further Remarks On Risk Sources Measuring: The Case Of A Life Annuity Portfolio, Mariarosaria Coppola, Emilia Di Lorenzo, Marilena Sibillo

Journal of Actuarial Practice (1993–2006)

The paper considers a model that allows the actuary to measure the riskiness connected to the randomness of projected mortality tables in evaluating a portfolio of life annuities, obtaining a measure to reflect the risk associated with the randomness of the projection. The coherence of the risk parameters with the specific nature of the considered risk sources is also discussed. Numerical examples illustrate the results, showing the importance of the risk components in terms of the number of policies and comparing measure tools obtained by means of two procedures.

A Note On The Parallelogram Method For Computing The On-Level Premium, David P.M. Scollnik, Wai Man Sara Lau

Journal of Actuarial Practice (1993–2006)

This paper discusses the differences appearing in the descriptions of the parallelogram method for the determination of earned premium at current rate levels given by McClenahan (1996) and Brown and Gottlieb (2001). It observes that the former is consistent with the method of extending exposures while the latter is not. An illustration is provided. This paper also discusses two other approaches to the determination of the earned premium.

Dynamic Funding And Investment Strategy For Defined Benefit Pension Schemes: A Model Incorporating Asset-Liability Matching Criteria, Shih-Chieh Chang, Cheng-Hsien Tsai, Chia-Jung Tien, Chang-Ye Tu

Journal of Actuarial Practice (1993–2006)

This paper studies the dynamic funding policy and investment strategy for defined benefit pension plans using one of the most comprehensive dynamic pension models to date. The model includes three investable assets: one risk free and two risky. The optimal plan decisions are formulated as a stochastic control problem that is solved using dynamic programming. The objective function uses performance measures to take into account the stability and solvency of the plan. The model is then applied to a Taiwanese pension.

Pemikiran Abu Yusuf Mengenai Kewangan Islam : Kajian Dalam Kitab Al-Kharaj, Hanin Mahamud Azaki

Student Works (2000-2009)

This dissertation explains the contribution of Abu Yusuf in Islamic Finance based on his Kitab al-Kharaj in which he has been regarded as an outstanding Muslim thinker of Hanafi school of thought. In this work, Abu Yusuf highlighted the position of land taxation (al-kharaj) according to Islamic perspective. ln other words, it tries to view Islamic rulings concerning land tax, its procedures as well as its measurement. Hopefully it will assist in the implementation of land tax accordance with the spirit of Islam. Chapter one explains the background of Abu Yusuf, his teachers and writings. Chapter two mentions the theory …

Subprime Lending In The Primary And Secondary Mortgage Market, Anthony Pennington-Cross

Finance Faculty Research and Publications

This article provides an exploratory analysis of the role of subprime lending through an examination of the spatial distribution of Federal Housing Administration (FHA)—eligible home purchase loans in the primary and secondary mortgage markets. Loan originations are aggregated to the metropolitan statistical area level to examine the proportion of the market served by FHA, prime, and subprime lenders. The article then examines whether subprime lenders hold their loans in portfolio or sell them to private conduits.

Primary market results indicate that subprime lenders are more active in cities with worse economic risk characteristics. Secondary market results indicate that although subprime …

Adr Risk Characteristics And Measurement, Tom Arnold, Lance Nail, Terry D. Nixon

Finance Faculty Publications

While a healthy empirical literature exists on international diversification and its benefits, surprisingly few studies have examined the risk characteristics and efficacy of asset pricing models for one avenue of international diversification – investments in American Depository Receipts (ADRs). Originating in approximately 1927, ADRs provide an opportunity for investors to indirectly purchase shares of foreign firms. ADRs represent a claim to a given number of shares of a foreign firm held by a U.S. financial institution (e.g., Bank of New York). With the increasingly significant presence of ADR trading in the American stock markets – increasing six-fold between 1990 and …

Diversification Benefits From Foreign Real Estate Investment, C. Mitchell Conover, H. Swint Friday, G. Stacy Sirmans

Finance Faculty Publications

Previous research has questioned the stability of international equity diversification. This study examines whether foreign real estate exists in a more segmented market and whether foreign real estate provides any diversification benefit beyond that obtainable from foreign stocks. Using data encompassing the stock market crash of 1987, foreign real estate was found to have a lower correlation with U.S. stocks than foreign stocks. This lower correlation is shown to be stable through time as foreign real estate has a lower correlation in nearly the entire time period. Foreign real estate was also found to have a significant weight in efficient …

Extension Risk In Commercial Mortgages, Charles C. Tu, Mark Eppli

Finance Faculty Research and Publications

Historical data and Monte Carlo simulation is used to examine the likelihood of loan extension and potential losses associated with extension. It is found that extension probability is highly sensitive to property NOI growth, to NOI volatility, to the amortization schedule, and to the loan term. It is found that extension risk is largely unaffected by changing credit spreads, changing yield curve assumptions, and changing term default assumptions. It is found that changing the underwriting standards affects the probability of loan extension in a somewhat muted way. It is estimated that the loss during extension is approximately 2%-3% of the …

Rapid, Specific Determination Of Iodine And Iodide By Combined Solid-Phase Extraction/Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy, Matteo P. Arena, Marc D. Porter, James S. Fritz

Finance Faculty Research and Publications

A new, rapid methodology for trace analysis using solid-phase extraction is described. The two-step methodology is based on the concentration of an analyte onto a membrane disk and on the determination by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy of the amount of analyte extracted on the disk surface. This method, which is adaptable to a wide range of analytes, has been used for monitoring ppm levels of iodine and iodide in spacecraft water. Iodine is used as a biocide in spacecraft water. For these determinations, a water sample is passed through a membrane disk by means of a 10-mL syringe that is attached …

Three Essays On Real Estate Research, Ming-Long Lee

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation consists of essays relating to the three important real estate research topics: spatial statistics, mortgages, and real estate investment trusts (REITs). In the first essay, “Spatial Distribution of Retail Sales,” we apply retail gravity models to examine the spatial distribution of retail sales for a retail chain in the Houston market. Unlike previous empirical studies, our study models both the spatial dependencies among both consumers and retailers. Our results show both the spatial dependencies have significant impacts on the estimates of parameters in retail gravity models. Contrary to the suggestions of Guitschi (1981) as well as Eppli and …

A Rhetorical Analysis Of Theodore Hesburgh's Fund-Raising Speeches For The University Of Notre Dame, Peggie Mathaba Ncube

Dissertations

Problem Statement. Literature reveals that college or university presidents play a key role in raising funds for their institutions. These roles are well documented, and yet many presidents face challenges in raising adequate funds for their institutions. Success stories of some university presidents are recorded, but no research has studied their rhetoric in raising funds in an attempt to uncover their formula for success. One such president is Theodore Hesburgh of the University of Notre Dame.

Methodology. This study assumes a rhetorical design, specifically the Burkean dramatistic approach to analyze Theodore Hesburgh's fund-raising speeches to the alumni of the …

An Investigation Of Adjustable-Rate Mortgage Pricing Features, William K. Templeton, Robert S. Main, J. B. Orris

Scholarship and Professional Work - Business

Investigates costs and risks associated with the choice of terms for adjustable rate mortgages. Impact of mortgage-rate changes on the size of payments for adjustable-rate mortgages; Examination of the choice of length of the fixed period before the occurrence of the first interest rate; Assessment of the choice of annual and lifetime caps for a standard one year adjustable rate mortgages.

Firm Transparency And The Costs Of Going Public, James S. Ang, James C. Brau

Faculty Publications

We demonstrate that firms that are more transparent pay less, in all components of issuance costs, to go public.We employ a sample of 334 previous leveraged buyouts and a characteristic-matched control sample to test the hypothesis that greater firm transparency before the issue decreases the flotation costs of the initial public offering. These flotation costs are divided into initial underpricing, underwriter discount, administrative expenses, and the overallotment option required to take the firm public. Our results provide further evidence of the asymmetric information hypothesis as it applies to initial public offerings.

A Metropolitan Transaction-Based Commercial Price Index: A Time-Varying Parameter Approach, Henry J. Munneke, Barrett A. Slade

Faculty Publications

This study examines the usefulness of time-varying parameter techniques for constructing reliable transaction-based commercial price indices for metropolitan areas. Time-varying parameter techniques allow the implicit prices of differing quality characteristics to vary intertemporally, overcoming the potential bias imposed by holding implicit prices fixed and simply interpreting time dummy variables as in a conventional hedonic approach. This paper empirically investigates three time-varying parameter methods (Chained, Laspeyres, and Paasche) and considers the potential for sample selection bias. Precision measures are constructed to examine the reliability of the respective indices.

Differences Of Opinion And The Cross Section Of Stock Returns, Karl B. Diether, Christopher J. Malloy, Anna Scherbina

Faculty Publications

We provide evidence that stocks with higher dispersion in analysts' earnings forecasts earn lower future returns than otherwise similar stocks. This effect is most pronounced in small stocks and stocks that have performed poorly over the past year. Interpreting dispersion in analysts' forecasts as a proxy for differences in opinion about a stock, we show that this evidence is consistent with the hypothesis that prices will reflect the optimistic view whenever investors with the lowest valuations do not trade. By contrast, our evidence is inconsistent with a view that dispersion in analysts' forecasts proxies for risk.

Testing The Capital Asset Pricing Model Efficiently Under Elliptical Symmetry: A Semiparametric Approach, Douglas J. Hodgson, Oliver Linton, Keith Vorkink

Faculty Publications

We develop new tests of the capital asset pricing model that take account of and are valid under the assumption that the distribution generating returns is elliptically symmetric; this assumption is necessary and sufficient for the validity of the CAPM. Our test is based on semiparametric efficient estimation procedures for a seemingly unrelated regression model where the multivariate error density is elliptically symmetric, but otherwise unrestricted. The elliptical symmetry assumption allows us to avoid the curse of dimensionality problem that typically arises in multivariate semiparametric estimation procedures, because the multivariate elliptically symmetric density function can be written as a function …

Do Tax-Deferred Exchanges Impact Purchase Price? Evidence From The Phoenix Apartment Market, Andrew Holmes, Barrett A. Slade

Faculty Publications

Many authors have commented on the compliance risk associated with taxdeferred exchanges. However, no published studies explicitly address whether the risks associated with the exchange process impact the price at which exchanged assets trade. Using a unique data set that documents transactions for nondirect exchanges, this study examines the price impact of tax-deferred exchanges on apartment transactions in the Phoenix, Arizona, market. Consistent with the price pressure hypothesis originally developed by Scholes (1972) and Kraus and Stoll (1972) and the tax capitalization hypothesis proposed by Oates (1969), the data show that exchange participants pay an economically significant premium to acquire …

Community Banking In The E-Business Era, Peter Southard, Keng Siau

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

This paper reviews how existing and potential uses of Internet technology can generate a competitive advantage for rural community banks. To do so, it offers a framework for analyzing Internet technology investment decisions. Organizations in this segment of the banking industry are often more removed from centers of technology and have traditionally been more conservative in their approaches to information technology (among other things). Banking Associations have developed in the U.S., such as the Independent Bankers Association, to try and help community banks coordinate marketing, legislative, and other issues that they have in common. The use of Internet technology can …

Defined Contribution Pensions: Plan Rules, Participant Choices, And The Path Of Least Resistance, James J. Choi, David Laibson, Brigitte C. Madrian, Andrew Metrick

Faculty Publications

We assess the effect on savings behavior of several different 401(k) plan features, including automatic enrollment, automatic cash distributions, employer matching provisions, eligibility requirements, investment options, and financial education. We also present new survey evidence on individual savings adequacy. Many of our conclusions are based on an analysis of micro-level administrative data on the 401(k) savings behavior of employees in several large corporations that implemented changes in their 401(k) plan design. Our analysis identifies a key behavioral principle that should partially guide the design of 401(k) plans: employees often follow the path of least resistance. For better or for worse, …

Akad Al-Bay Bi Thaman Ajil Di Bank Rakyat Mengikut Perspektif Undang-Undang Kontrak Islam, Hamizan Mohd. Nor

Student Works (2000-2009)

Al-bay bi thaman ajil (BBA) is a financing contract according to Islamic principles. It is a well-known product and is offered by Islamic Banking System in Malaysia including Bank Rakyat itself. The product is an alternativies to the financing scheme of the conventional bank. Therefore, the dissertation studies the practice of SBA contract with attention given to the concept and nature of BBA contract in the Islamic transaction and its practise at Bank Rakyat. The study also discusses certain relevant concept such as debt, buy and selling (transaction), profits and usury in Islam all of which constitute some important aspects …

Do Banks Price Owner–Manager Agency Costs? An Examination Of Small Business Borrowing, James C. Brau

Faculty Publications

Ang, Cole, and Lin (2000) provide evidence that supports the theoreticalwork of Jensen and Meckling (1976) on agency costs. As a further examination, I conduct a test to determine the economic significance of owner–manager agency conflicts. Using the same data source and empirical framework as Ang, Cole, and Lin (2000), I test to determine if banks chargeapremiumwhenextendingloans tofirmswith variousownership structures. In empirical tests, I find that banks do not require an owner–manager agency premium either through increased interest rates or through the requirement of collateral. Instead, I find that the interest rate is significantly affected by the length of the …

A Cross-Firm Analysis Of The Impact Of Corporate Governance On The East Asian Financial Crisis, Todd Mitton

Faculty Publications

In a sample of 398 firms from Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand, firm-level differences in variables related to corporate governance had a strong impact on firm performance duringthe East Asian financial crisis of 1997–1998. Significantly better stock price performance is associated with firms that had indicators of higher disclosure quality (ADRs and auditors from Big Six accounting firms), with firms that had higher outside ownership concentration, and with firms that were focused rather than diversified. The results suggest that individual firms have some power to preclude expropriation of minority shareholders if legal protection is inadequate.

Niche Market And Customer Analysis For The Introduction Of A Potential New Pharmaceutical Product In Peninsular Malaysia, Jeyalakshmi Rajan

Student Works (2000-2009)

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a non-cancerous condition in which the number of prostate cells increases, causing the gland to enlarge. Nearly all men develop BPH If they live long enough and about half would develop symptoms of BPH. Company A's product is one of three drugs competing for the BPH market. In view of the slow growth of its product, Company A was considering launching a new formulation. Thus, a customer and market evaluation was essential to understand the market and develop relevant marketing strategies for such a launch. The major objectives of this study were to: (a) determine …

Evidence Of Short-Run Persistence In Unit Trusts Performance In Malaysia, Chien Hwa Chong, Puay Eng Kho

Student Works (2000-2009)

The objective of this research is to determine whether there is statistical evidence in performance persistence of Malaysia unit trusts. Tests for performance persistence is also tests for weak form market efficiency of unit trusts in Malaysia. The study is also of practical value since performance persistence indicates that past performance is good prediction of future performance. If there was statistical evidence on performance persistence, then Investors should select the unit trusts to invest based on past performance of the unit trusts. Both parametric and non-parametric statistical tests were carried out to test for performance persistence. Parametric tests employed the …

Cash Flow Statement : An Empirical Study Of Voluntary Disclosure Practices Of Malaysian Companies, K. Ranchethamalar K.

Student Works (2000-2009)

Cash flow is a critical business solvency measure. The mandatory disclosures on cash flow statements do not provide all the necessary information to evaluate an entity's performance, liquidity and solvency. No prior studies so far, have thoroughly discussed the merits of providing additional information and relating it to firm specific variables. This study has two purposes. The first purpose is to provide empirical evidence on direct and indirect method of presenting operating cash flows. The second part of the study provides empirical evidence on the voluntary disclosure practices of Malaysian companies as encouraged by MASS 5 and relating it to …

Better Organization's Performance In Local Commercial Banking Industry Through Strategic Balance Strategy, Seng Wah Ling

Student Works (2000-2009)

Similarity among firms has received a great deal of attention in strategic management and organization theories. Past researches observed that firms face pressures to be different and to be the same. By differentiating, firms reduce competition. By conforming, firms demonstrate their legitimacy. Both reduced competition and legitimacy improve performance. This study addresses the performance consequences of firm-level strategic similarity with Strategic Balance Strategy, which states that moderately differentiated firms have higher performance than either highly conforming or highly differentiated firms. This study examines the relative performance of local commercial banks in Malaysia from 1995 to 2000. The study investigates whether …

Faktor Yang Mempengaruhi Pasaran Wang Di Malaysia Serta Kesannya Ke Atas Dasar Kewangan, Azlina Abd. Aziz

Student Works (2000-2009)

Penyelidikan ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji foktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi pa.saran wang di Malaysia, khususnya bagi permintaan dan penawaran wang serta kesannya ke atas pelaksanaan dasar kewangan di Malaysia. Agregat kewangan M1, M2 clan M3 sebagai pembolehubah bergantung bagi permintaan dan penawaran wang. Bagi melihat apakah faktor yang mempengaruhi permintaan wang, sebanyak lima pembolehubah bebas digunakan yang terdiri daripada pendapatan benar, kadar diskaun purata Bil Perbendaharaan 3 bulan, kadar inflasi, hasil Bil Perbendaharaan Amerika Syarikat 3 bulan dan jangkaan kadar depresiasi. Bagi pen.awaran wang, antara petunjuk yang digunakan sebagai pembolehubah bebas terdiri daripada pendapatan benar, kadar bunga deposit bermasa 6 bulan di …

A Study Of Benjamin Graham's Stock Selection Criteria In The Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange, Lee Fah Thong

Student Works (2000-2009)

The fundamentalists believe that all securities have an intrinsic value, which can differ from its market price and eventually. the market price of a security will gravitate towards its true value. Graham believed that even though securities market could be overall efficient. any conscientious investor could gain superior returns through pockets of inefficiencies by paying close attention to investment fundamentals and taking advantage of undervaluation and mispricing of individual securities. He also proposed ten selection criteria to identify underpriced securities. The study aims to investigate whether the portfolios formed using Grahams selection criteria could achieve superior performance in the Kuala …