Weighted rank statistics in factorial designs with fixed effects

Nonparametric methods for the analysis of factorial designs with two fixed factors are considered. The sample sizes may be unequal and the distribution functions are not assumed to be continuous. Nonparametric hypotheses for the main effects and for the interaction are tested by ranking procedures where the statistics are weighted according to the different sample sizes within the levels of one factor. Simulations show that the approximations by the limiting normal distribution and by the t - and F -distributions are quite accurate if the samples sizes within the cells are at least 7 for all treatment combinations. Moreover, it turns out that the power for the weighted statistics is much higher than for the unweighted statistics. The application of the suggested procedures is demonstrated by the analysis of a data set from a clinical trial with ordered categorical data.     

Equilibrium asset pricing: with non-Gaussian factors and exponential utilities

We analyse the equilibrium asset pricing implications for an economy with single period return exposures to explicit non-Gaussian systematic factors, that may be both skewed and long-tailed, and Gaussian idiosyncratic components. Investors maximize expected exponential utility and equilibrium factor prices are shown to reflect exponentially tilted prices for non-Gaussian factor risk exposures. It is shown that these prices may be directly estimated from the univariate probability law of the factor exposure, given an estimate of average risk aversion in the economy. In addition, a residual form of the capital asset pricing model continues to hold and prices the idiosyncratic or Gaussian risks. The theory is illustrated on data for the US economy using independent components analysis to identify the factors and the variance gamma model to describe the probability law of the non-Gaussian factors. It is shown that the residual CAPM accounts for no more than 1% of the pricing of risky assets, while the exponentially tilted systematic factor risk exposures account for the bulk of risky asset pricing.     

Pricing and hedging basket options to prespecified levels of acceptability

The concept of stress levels embedded in S&P500 options is defined and illustrated with explicit constructions. The particular example of a stress function used is MINMAXVAR. Seven joint laws for the top 50 stocks in the index are considered. The first time changes a Gaussian one factor copula. The remaining six employ correlated Brownian motion independently time changed in each coordinate. Four models use daily returns, either run as Lévy processes or scaled to the option maturity. The last two employ risk-neutral marginals from the VGSSD and CGMYSSD Sato processes. The smallest stress function uses CGMYSSD risk-neutral marginals and Lévy correlation. Running the Lévy process yields a lower stress surface than scaling to the option maturity. Static hedging of basket options to a particular level of acceptability is shown to substantially lower the price at which the basket option may be offered.     

Satisfying Individual Desires or Moral Standards? Preferential Treatment and Group Members’ Self-Worth, Affect, and Behavior

We investigate how social comparison processes in leader treatment quality impact group members’ self-worth, affect, and behavior. Evidences from the field and the laboratory suggest that employees who are treated kinder and more considerate than their fellow group members experience more self-worth and positive affect. Moreover, the greater positive self-implications of preferentially treated group members motivate them more strongly to comply with norms and to engage in tasks that benefit the group. These findings suggest that leaders face an ethical trade-off between satisfying the moral standard of treating everybody equally well and satisfying individual group members’ desire to be treated better than others.     

An Error Corrected Almost Ideal Demand System for Crustaceans in the United States

We have employed an error-corrected almost ideal demand system (ECAIDS) for major crustaceans at a disaggregated level in the United States. The proposed model can provide short- and long-run price elasticities. This article makes an important empirical contribution by reporting a set of reliable, policy-relevant estimates of the elasticities of demand for crustaceans in the United States. The habit formation behavior was significant only for crayfish. The value pricing strategy and the promotional pricing strategy are expected to benefit the domestic shrimp industry. Increasing prices through various marketing strategies can benefit domestic producers of lobsters and crabs.     

Diffusion Coefficient Estimation and Asset Pricing When Risk Premia and Sensitivities Are Time Varying1

The exponential of a scalar diffusion is considered. Point estimates of the diffusion coefficient can be obtained by considering proportional increments of different powers of the exponential. an investigation of the minimum variance estimator gives unique optimal power.     

On the monotonicity of the labour-capital ratio in Sraffa's model

Work done in part while visiting (1988–1989) the Department of Mathematics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, U.S.A. One of the authors (E. S.) wishes to thank Paolo Caravani for bringing the subject matter of Caravani and DeLuca (1987), in an earlier version, to his attention; and David Rosenblatt for illuminating correspondence on aggregation.