Finance Commons^™

Poverty Reduction: An Evaluation Of Micro Finance And Foreign Aid, Wade Summers

Honors Program Theses

Over the last 50 years, the United States has been pouring money into foreign aid, yet this aid has failed to bring the poor out of poverty. Micro finance institutions claim to they are able to increase the wealth of the poor. This paper will compare micro finance's ability to alleviate poverty against traditional uses of foreign aid. The results of this paper are while the profitability of micro finance is not clear, independent studies indicate that it has been successful in bringing the poor out of poverty. This paper concludes that micro finance should receive a larger portion of …

Interest Rate Hicks, Anwar Shaikh Phd

Archives of Anwar Shaikh

This collection includes:

• Shaikh, A. (2007). Theories of interest rates: Expectations and conventions in interest rate theories (Unpublished manuscript) (22-25_Inte... p. 2).
• Dodds, J. C., & Ford, J. L. (1992). Expectations, uncertainty and the term structure of interest rates. Taylor & Francis (22-25_Inte... p. 2).
• Ford, J. L., & Stark, T. (1967). Long and short-term interest rates: An econometric study. Augustus M. Kelley (22-25_Inte... p. 3).
• Ciocca, P., & Nardozzi, G. (1996). The high price of money: An interpretation of world interest rates. Clarendon Press (22-25_Inte... p. 3).
• Patinkin, D. (1972). Studies in monetary economics. Harper …

Interest Rate Theory Ii, Anwar Shaikh Phd

Archives of Anwar Shaikh

This collection includes:

• Competition, finance and interest rates v2 by Anwar Shaikh, PhD (Unpublished manuscript, July 16, 2007) (22-39_Int ... p. 3)
• Interest rates and Gibson's paradox by Anwar Shaikh, PhD (Unpublished handwritten notes, June 29, 2007) (22-39_Int ... p. 12)
• Theories of interest rates by Anwar Shaikh, PhD (Unpublished manuscript, July 5, 2007) (22-39_Int ... p. 13)
• Difference between bond ROR's and YTM's by Anwar Shaikh, PhD (Unpublished handwritten notes, November 24, 2004) (22-39_Int ... p. 17)
• Profit rates, interest rates, and arbitrage by Anwar Shaikh, PhD (Unpublished handwritten notes, June 13, 2007) (22-39_Int ... p. 22)
• Bond market …

Real Estate Mutual Funds: A Style Analysis, Crystal Lin, Kenneth Yung

Finance Faculty Publications

We find that the characteristics of real estate related securities are different from those of the general common equities. To help investors understand better the products offered by real estate mutual funds, we develop style descriptors that are specifically created for real estate related securities. Among the universe of real estate securities, we find real estate funds tilt toward large stocks and favor growth moderately over value. Growth managers outperform value mangers in this sector by 1.51% to 2.30% per year. However, there is evidence of shifts in the investment style among the funds. Our results help investors in evaluating …

Choices For Financing Fiscal And External Deficits, Ishrat Husain Dr.

Faculty Research - Newspaper and Magazine Articles

The on going debate on the growing trade and current account deficits and fiscal deficit needs to be encouraged as it creates awareness of economic issues among the general public and puts pressures on the policy makers to take corrective actions. However, this debate has so far been dominated by a superficial or highly perfunctory analysis perpetuated by two extreme positions. Those who wish to criticize and find fault with the government paint a doom and gloom day scenario and argue that deficits are a result of mismanagement and wrong economic policies pursued and pose a serious threat to macroeconomic …

Productivity Effects On Mexican Manufacturing Employment Before And After Nafta, Andre V. Mollick, Rene Cabral

School of Economics and Finance Faculty Publications

A vast literature employs vector autoregressions (VAR) methods in order to capture whether innovations in productivity lead to increases or decreases in employment for U.S. manufacturing. Studying 25 Mexican manufacturing industries with annual data from 1984 to 2000, we examine labour productivity (value added per employee) and total factor productivity (TFP) effects on Mexican manufacturing employment. We find that productivity measures vary considerably in Mexico. Making use of panel data methods that control for sector specific effects, the business cycle and real wages, interesting results emerge. First, there are strong positive impacts of TFP (without and with human capital) on …

Temporal Aggregation And Risk-Return Relation, Jin Xing, Leping Wang, Jun Yu

Research Collection School Of Economics

The function form of a linear intertemporal relation between risk and return is suggested by Merton's [1973. Econometrica 41, 867–887] analytical work for instantaneous returns, whereas empirical studies have examined the nature of this relation using temporally aggregated data, i.e., daily, monthly, quarterly, or even yearly returns. Our paper carefully examines the temporal aggregation effect on the validity of the linear specification of the risk–return relation at discrete horizons, and on its implications on the reliability of the resulting inference about the risk–return relation based on different observation intervals. Surprisingly, we show that, based on the standard Heston's [1993. Review …

Realized Daily Variance Of S&P 500 Cash Index: A Revaluation Of Stylized Facts, Shirley Huang, Qianqiu Liu, Jun Yu

Research Collection School Of Economics

In this paper the realized daily variance is obtained from intraday transaction prices of the S&P 500 cash index over the period from January 1993 to December 2004. When constructing realized daily variance, market microstructure noise is taken into account using a technique proposed by Zhang, Mykland and Ait-Sahalia (2005). The time series properties of realized daily variance are compared with those of variance estimates obtained from parametric GARCH and stochastic volatility models. Unconditional and dynamic properties concerning the realized daily variance are examined, the relationship between realized variance and returns is investigated, and the stylized facts concerning realized daily …

Modeling Transaction Data Of Trade Direction And Estimation Of Probability Of Informed Trading, Anthony S. Tay, Christopher Ting, Yiu Kuen Tse, Mitch Warachka

Research Collection School Of Economics

This paper implements the Asymmetric AutoregressiveConditional Duration (AACD) model of Bauwens and Giot (2003) to analyzeirregularly spaced transaction data of trade direction, namely buy versus sellorders. We examine the influence of lagged transaction duration, lagged volumeand lagged trade direction on transaction duration and direction. Our resultsare applied to estimate the probability of informed trading (PIN) based on theEasley, Hvidkjaer and O’Hara (2002) framework. Unlike the Easley-Hvidkjaer-O’Hara model, which uses the daily aggregate number of buy and sellorders, the AACD model makes full use of transaction data and allows forinteractions between buy and sell orders.

Are You Sure You're Saving Enough For Retirement?, Jonathan Skinner

Dartmouth Scholarship

Many view the soon-to-retire Baby Boomers as woefully unprepared for their golden years, while other economists have taken a more sanguine view of American levels of saving. And if Americans are failures at saving enough for retirement, why are some retirees so happy? The seemingly simple question of "Am I saving enough for retirement?" is apparently not so simple at all. Instead, it touches on a variety of deeper issues in economics, psychology, and health policy. I use the program ESPlanner to present life-cycle retirement wealth targets for a range of incomes and situations typical of American Economic Association members. …

Central Bank Of Nigeria Annual Report And Statement Of Accounts For The Year Ended 31st December 2006, Central Bank Of Nigeria

CBN Annual Report

This Report reviews the operations of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and macroeconomic developments during the fiscal year 2006 and appraises the major economic policy outcomes during the period. The Bank reported a stable foreign exchange market in 2006, with an average effective official exchange rate of N 128.65 per U.S dollar, an increase of 2.6% over 2005. The stock of external reserves, valued at US$12.30 billion, was 49.6% higher than in 2005, driven by high crude oil prices and lower debt-service burden. The reserves were equivalent to 28.4 months of import cover, exceeding the 6 months requirement under …

Currency Restructuring: The Role Of The Media., Festus O. Odoko

Bullion

One of the mandates of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as provided in the CBN Act of 1991 (as amended) is the issuance of legal tender currency. This paper examines the rationale for currency restructuring so as to elicit the buy-in and support of the media and in that way enhance the acceptability of the currency in economic transactions in Nigeria. The rest of the paper is organized as follows: Section 2 outlines the major elements of currency restructuring, while section 3 discusses the critical success factors. In section 4 the role of the media is enunciated while section …

Simulation-Based Estimation Of Contingent-Claims Prices, Peter C. B. Phillips, Jun Yu

Research Collection School Of Economics

A new methodology is proposed to estimate theortical prices of financial contingent-claims whose values are dependent on some other underlying financial assets. In the literature the preferred choice of estimator is usually maximum likelihood (ML). ML has strong asymptotic justification but is not necessarily the best method in finite samples. The present paper proposes instead a simulation-based method that improves the finite sample performance of the ML estimator while maintaining its good asymptotic properties. The methods are implemented and evaluated here in the Black-Scholes option pricing model and in the Vasicek bond pricing model, but have wider applicability. Monte Carlo …

Mixing Frequencies: Stock Returns As A Predictor Of Real Output Growth, Anthony S. Tay

Research Collection School Of Economics

We investigate two methods for using daily stock returns to forecast, and update forecasts of, quarterly real output growth. Both methods aggregate daily returns in some manner to form a single stock market variable. We consider (i) augmenting the quarterly AR(1) model for real output growth with daily returns using a nonparametric Mixed Data Sampling (MIDAS) setting, and (ii) augmenting the quarterly AR(1) model with the most recent r -day returns as an additional predictor. We find that our mixed frequency models perform well in forecasting real output growth.

Choice Of Currency By East Asia Bond Issuers, David Fernandez, Simon Klassen

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

In discussing bond markets in Asia, academics and policymakers typically begin by noting that the Asian crisis of 1997-98 in part resulted from the underdevelopment of the region’s domestic bond markets and the resultant currency and duration mismatches. When assessing the progress made in developing these markets in the post-crisis years, academics and policymakers usually observe that, while several domestic currency government bond markets have moved ahead, corporate bond markets have lagged (Asian Development Bank (2002), Reserve Bank of Australia (2003)). The policy conclusion is therefore often drawn: to prevent another Asian crisis, Asian bond markets must be further developed.

The Growing Together Guide: A Companion Resource To The New England Environmental Finance Center/Melissa Paly Film, New England Environmental Finance Center

Smart Growth

What local leader or public official wants to be faced with an SOS the “same old story” of public discord and confrontation over growth and development in one’s community? That situation has become a problem for efforts to promote smart growth. Investments are needed in the walkable, compact, traditional‐streetscape and mixed use neighborhoods and developments that are more sustainable and healthy than sprawl, for both people and the landscape. Yet attempts at such change all too often end up mired in costly public controversy and stalemate.

Understanding The Pension Reform Act(Pra) 2004, Adesina Balogun

Bullion

Pension schemes exit to provide post-retirement I benefits to employees. Pension scheme was introduced into Nigeria during the Colonial era to provide old age income and security to British citizens working in the country upon retirement. This paper discussed the conceptual framework of Pension Reform Act 2004, the dynamics of Pension Reform Act of 2004, the implications and challenges of Pension Act of 2004 as well as feasible options for future developments. The study concluded that, The roles and functions of PFAs and PFCs are Pivotal to the success of the new defined contributory scheme. It behoves on them therefore, …

Overview Of Exchange Rate Management In Nigeria., Mike I. Obadan

Bullion

The exchange rate is a key macroeconomic variable in the context of general economic policy making, and of economic reform programmes, in particular. It is a very important price which governments take very active interest in. However, two concepts of exchange rate are commonly distinguished: nominal exchange rate and real exchange rate. - The nominal exchange rate (NER) is a monetary concept which measures the relative price of two moneys or currencies, e.g., Naira in relation to the U. S dollar. - But the real exchange rate (RER), as the name implies, is a real concept that measures the relative …

Economics Of Exchange Rate Management, Ayodele Odusola

Bullion

Exchange rate policy plays an important role in national economic development management. If well managed, it could facilitate the achievement of macroeconomic objectives of rapid economic growth, low rate of inflation, high employment generation, buoyant balance of payment condition, and progressive income distribution. Of all economic policies, it is the most suitable policy for ensuring internal and external balances. This paper examine the economics of exchange rate management; the conceptual issues in exchange rate management in view of attaining the macroeconomic objectives for rapid economic growth and development. One of the critical issues in the management of foreign exchange is …

Recent Reforms In The Nigerian Banking Industry: Issues And Challenges., U. Kama

Bullion

The banking industry around the world has witnessed remarkable changes in recent decades, given t h e i n c r e a s i n g w a v e o f globalization, structural and technological changes, and integration of financial markets. As McKinnon and Shaw (1973) observed in their seminar work on the key roles of banks as propel lands of growth and development in developing economies, a feeble banking system is repressive, distortionary and dis-connect the intermediation process thereby precipitating macroeconomic instability. The paper reviews the various reforms in Nigerian banking industry since 1986 particularly the complementary …

Overview Of Currency Management In Nigeria., K. S. Adeyemi

Bullion

This paper seeks to highlight the issues in currency management, identify the challenges of currency management in Nigeria, and situate the currency management reforms of the Central Bank of Nigeria in proper context. The paper is structured into six sections. Following the introduction, the key dimensions of the currency management function is highlighted in section 2. Section 3 reviews the major currency episodes in Nigeria while section 4 examines the shortcomings of the existing currency arrangements. Nigeria's reform effort in currency management is discussed in Section 5 and the paper is concluded in section 6 by observing that: as inflation …

Promoting The Use Of Coins In Nigeria., A O. Ikuseedun

Bullion

The main purpose of currency in any nation is to facilitate transactions and serves as a store of value. Currency is made up of banknotes and coins. While banknotes are expected to be used for relatively large value payments, coins are for low value ones. The paper examines the factors responsible for low usage of coins in Nigeria and suggest possible remedial measures. The paper observes that there had been a general low use of coins for retail transactions in Nigeria. This was reflected in the relative value of coins in circulation as against the value of currency which was …

Conceptual Issues On Savings In Nigeria., A. J. Adam, A. V. Agba

Bullion

It is often held that capital accumulation is necessary and sufficient condition for growth and capital accumulation is almost synonymous with saving, hence the route to growth is then one of raising savings and smoothing consumption (Deaton, 1991). Savings is one of the key relevant macroeconomic variables in any economy. Its impact on the rate of capital accumulation, productivity and the degree of dependency of a nation on foreign capital and foreign ownership of domestic assets cannot be overemphasised. This paper reviews conceptual issues on savings behaviour in Nigeria. It also provided an analysis of the factors that may have …

The Challenges Of Sustainability Of The Current Exchange Rate Regime In Nigeria., H. T. Sanni

Bullion

The motive behind initiating an exchange rate policy, an integral element of monetary policy, is to preserve the value of the domestic currency, maintain favorable external reserves and ensure the realization of price stability in the domestic economy. The pursuance of these goals is to ensure external balance without compromising the need for internal balance and macroeconomic stability. In the quest for corrective measures to minimize distortions in the foreign exchange market, the monetary authority initiates the current exchange rate reform. the objective of this paper is to discuss the challenges of sustaining the recently introduced exchange rate regime in …

Exchange Rate Stability And Poverty Reduction In Nigeria, Greg Nzekwu

Bullion

The paper discusses the role of macroeconomic policy in achieving social as well as macroeconomic objectives in attaining poverty reduction in Nigeria. Nigeria's economy is growing at an impressive rate compared to the historical. This reflects in part increased investor confidence due t o the improvement in macroeconomic management and positive dividends of the new found economic direction and general political stability. However, the renewed optimism is unlikely to be sustained if appreciable progress is not made to advance growth, general macroeconomic stability and poverty reduction. The reveals that, In order for growth to be poverty reducing, the link between …

Challenges Of Exchange Rate Volatility In Economic Management In Nigeria., Charles N.O Mordi

Bullion

The motive behind initiating an exchange rate policy, an integral element of monetary policy, is to preserve the value of the domestic currency, maintain favorable external reserves and ensure the realization of price stability in the domestic economy. The pursuance of these goals is to ensure external balance without compromising the need for internal balance and macroeconomic stability. It is important that the monetary authority, in its bid to designing an appropriate and sustainable exchange rate policy framework, addresses issues that are fundamental to the introduction of the policy itself. This paper discussed the challenges of exchange rate volatility management …

The Achievement Of Convergence In The Nigeria Foreign Exchange Market, O. O. Akanji

Bullion

The fact that Naira is floating is not a panacea for effective monetary policy management learning from the Argentina experience. Also with volatile capital flows, there are associated over - and undershooting of exchange rates that the economy would encounter. This paper discuss the achievement of convergence in the Nigerian foreign exchange market and monetary policy, the liberalization of the foreign exchange market and the process of foreign exchange convergence. It was observed that there were supply shortage and so the supply side of resource allocation was deployed. It was also observed that the harmony between the money market and …

Effective Reserve Management In Nigeria: Issues, Challenges And Prospects., M. Nda

Bullion

Effective management of foreign exchange reserves is one of the major macroeconomic objectives of countries like Nigeria. This is against the background of rapid rise and accumulated challenges currently facing many emerging economies especially oil producing countries. In Nigeria, the reserves has risen from USD4.99 billion in May 1999 to USD38.07 billion as at July 31, 2006 (see table 1). The paper examines the key issues, challenges and prospects of effective management of external reserves in Nigeria and how the Central Bank of Nigeria has fared in coping with these challenges. The recent accumulation of foreign reserves is not peculiar …

Promoting The Use Of Non-Cash Payment Alternatives In Nigeria., Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede

Bullion

The payments and settlement system represents the plat-form upon which financial resources is exchanged for goods and services. This paper discussed the different alternatives of non-cash payment methods as well as the advantages, modes of payments and challenges. The study concluded that, there is need not only to further the laudable reforms of the Federal Government of Nigeria, but also to ensure that business and non-business financial transactions are accessible and convenient for the average Nigerian. These reforms in the payment system can only fast track the integration of Nigeria into the international financial system with attendant benefits for the …

The Legal Framework For Currency Management In Nigeria., Anthony Olatujoye

Bullion

This paper reviews the adequacy of the existing legal framework for Currency Management in Nigeria. The paper is structured into three parts. Part I is an introduction to the paper. The legal provisions governing currency management in Nigeria and some of the legal challenges for the CBN are highlighted and examined in part II. Part III concludes the paper: that a major legal challenge facing the CBN is the absence of specific provisions of the law criminalizing such acts as tampering, deliberate mutilation, spraying and marching of currency.