The incidental parameter problem in a non-differentiable panel data model

We consider a panel quantile model with fixed effects. It is shown that the maximum likelihood estimator is numerically equivalent to the least absolute deviations estimator of the differenced model, and as a consequence, there is no incidental parameter problem.     

Does Islamic banking performance vary across regions? A new puzzle

This article investigates the performance of Islamic banks (IBs) across four different regions (Egypt, the Gulf, the UK and the US) in the aftermath of the subprime crisis. Using daily data and two performance ratio proxies (ROA (Return on Asset) and Tobin Q), we show that the performance of IBs varies significantly from one region to another, with the highest level for regions in the West. This result suggests a new puzzle as application of the same Sharia Board rules and sales of similar products should normally provide comparable performance outcomes for IBs.     

外资银行进入影响研究——基于面板数据和产业组织方法

本文基于我国14家银行1996—2005年的面板数据,对外资银行进入对我国银行业的短期影响进行了研究。实证结果表明,我国银行业对外资银行营业性机构数的增加反应不敏感,经营成本、盈利同外资银行市场份额的增加正相关,我国银行业市场符合结构一行为一绩效范式。本文认为,当前外资银行已经越来越快地融入我国金融体系,为应对外资银行进入的冲击,我国银行业应以金融控股公司模式实现综合经营,同时积极学习借鉴外资银行新的金融产品和管理经验。     

Asymmetric inflation dynamics: Evidence from quantile regression analysis

This paper applies the regression quantile approach developed by Koenker and Xiao (2004) to investigate the dynamic behavior of inflation in 12 OECD countries. By analyzing the behavior in a wide range of quantiles, this method allows us to quantify the influence of various sizes of shocks that hit the inflation, and is able to capture possible asymmetric adjustment of the inflation towards to its long-run equilibrium. It therefore sheds new lights on the inflation dynamics compared with the conventional unit root methodologies. Our results suggest that generally, the inflation rates are not only mean-reverting but also exhibit asymmetries in their dynamic adjustments, in which large negative shocks tend to induce strong mean reversion, and on the contrary, large positive shocks do not. Policy implications related to the empirical findings are also provided.     

Which Elasticity? Estimating the Responsiveness of Taxpayer Reporting Decisions

In this paper we present estimates of the responses of individuals to marginal tax rates in their reporting of income, using data from individual tax returns for the year 1995. One estimation method is ordinary least squares regression. A second method uses quantile regression, which provides evidence on behavioral responses at different points (or quantiles) in the distribution of income and so is relevant to the question of whether the responses of, say, the rich differ from those at other points in the income distribution. Our results clearly indicate that marginal tax rates affect the reporting decisions of individuals. However, there are significant differences in the marginal tax rate reporting responses for the various types of reported income, there are major differences across income classes, and there are notable differences in the estimated responses across estimation methods.

对外开放门槛与服务业的外溢效应——基于省际面板数据的实证检验

本文利用面板门槛回归模型,以对外开放程度作为门槛变量,探讨在不同发展阶段服务业发展水平同国民经济发展效率之间的相关性.结果发现,提高服务业就业比重能够产生稳健的外溢效用,其背后的渠道包括适应居民消费结构升级、提供就业岗位、与工农业形成互动等方面.在服务业发挥外溢效应过程中,对外开放起着显著的调节作用,而且发展对外贸易和利用外资对服务业发挥外溢效应的调节功能存在显著差别.     

我国城镇居民消费行为区域异质分析——基于动态面板分位数回归视角

笔者采用面板模型识别中的变系数变截距检验方法将全国31个省份划成5个区域,使得区域内的模型变为面板变截距模型,然后采用动态面板分位数回归方法对我国城镇居民的消费行为进行区域异质分析。研究结果表明,采用面板模型识别中的变系数变截距检验方法在区域划分中具有一定的优势,目前我国城镇居民消费行为存在显著的区域异质性。     

A note on spurious nonlinear regression

This paper explores the power of two tests for nonlinearity against spurious nonlinear regression. Results show that while the BDS test is susceptible to spuriousness, an approach introduced by Peña and Rodriguez [Peña, D. and Rodriguez, J., 2005, Detecting nonlinearity in time series by model selection criteria, International Journal of Forecasting 21, 731–748.] is powerful, regardless of sample size.     

混业经营条件下银行集中与效率--基于面板单位根与面板协整分析

基于亚洲国家的面板数据,运用面板单位根与面板协整方法研究混业经营下银行集中与银行效率的关系.理论研究表明银行集中会带来两种相反作用的效应:规模经济和专业化经济,银行集中度提高所带来规模经济上升促进银行效率;相反专业化经济下降损害银行效率.实证分析(1)支持理论所表明的均衡关系,银行效率与银行集中等变量存在协整关系.(2)混业经营条件下,银行集中与银行效率有显著的正相关关系,规模经济效应大于专业化经济效应.因此混业条件下,提高银行效率必须寻求有效途径,加强竞争,适度提高商业银行的集中度.     

Analysis of wage differences between native and immigrant workers in Spain

This paper analyses the nature of wage differences between native and immigrant workers in Spain. By estimating separated wage equations for the sub samples of both native and non-native workers and applying the Oaxaca–Blinder method, we observe that the relative unexplained (or discriminatory) component of the wage difference has a decreasing behaviour along the most part of the wage distribution, even becoming negative at the end. So, in this paper we detect the existence of a remarkable wage difference against the group of immigrants with the lowest wages which is not explained by the differences in the productive features of both native and non-native workers. This paper has been funded by the project SEJ2004-04065/ECON. Previous versions of this article have greatly improved thanks to the comments of two anonymous referees and the Managing Editor.     

A quantile regression approach for estimating panel data models using instrumental variables

We introduce a quantile regression approach to panel data models with endogenous variables and individual effects correlated with the independent variables. We find newly developed quantile regression methods can be easily adapted to estimate this class of models efficiently.     

Non-linearity in the determinants of capital structure: evidence from UK firms

We demonstrate that, by exploiting more fully the distribution of leverage, conditional quantile regression methods yield new insights into the choice of leverage ratio. For UK listed companies we find that not only is the estimated effect of the explanatory variables different at different quantiles of the distribution, but also that the effect of a variable changes sign between low leveraged and high leveraged firms.