A MODEL OF HETEROGENEOUS EXPECTATIONS AS A DETERMINANT OF SHORT SALES

This study examines the role of heterogeneous expectations as a determinant of short selling of common stock. A theoretical model demonstrates that the degree of heterogeneity of opinion and the number of investors in a market both positively influence short selling. This theory is substantiated empirically using ex-ante data. Short selling is related directly to merger activity and the presence of options.     

THE VALUE OF A REGULATORY SEAL OF APPROVAL

I investigate whether obtaining a regulatory seal of approval adds to firm value. For a sample of thirty-four firms that acquired the insured deposits of failed banks, I find a significantly greater price response for firms that could benefit from obtaining a regulatory seal of approval than for firms that had recently obtained a similar form of approval. Further, abnormal returns to winning bidders are significantly larger when a regulatory seal of approval is likely to be more valuable, i.e., when the industry faces severe economic problems. In addition, bidder gains are significant only in markets where regulatory certification of a firm's health is important—markets that have recently experienced several bank failures. Finally, wealth transfers from the FDIC insurance fund may contribute to bidder gains. The evidence suggests that obtaining a regulatory seal of approval can positively affect firm value.     

THE MEASUREMENT OF A FIRM'S COST OF CAPITAL

The relevance of a firm's cost of capital in its investment decisions is widely recognised. The concept and associated issues have been and are likely to be increasingly important in the regulatory activities of government and semi-government bodies, e.g. prices regulation, profit regulation for semi-government enterprises, antitrust and takeover regulation. This paper outlines the principles involved in estimating a firm's before-tax and after-tax cost of capital. The paper also suggests practical approaches that may be taken when difficulties arise in estimating parameters to the problem.     

A SURVEY OF THE COSTS OF WORLD SUGAR POLICIES

The world sugar market has long been characterized by volatileprices and widespread intervention. Controls on domestic prices,demand, and supply have created an inefficient pattern of worldproduction, consumption, and trade. Without government controls,production would shift from the countries with higher cost,subsidized production (especially the European Community, Japan,and the United States) to the countries with lower costs (suchas Australia, Brazil, and Thailand). The resources saved couldthen be directed to other activities. Sugar policies in countries with high costs reduce world sugarprices quite substantially in the long run and increase pricevariability significantly; production controls in countrieswith low costs increase world prices somewhat and also increasetheir variability. What would happen if all interventions ceased? Average worldsugar prices would probably— but not definitely—rise. World prices would definitely vary less, and economicconditions would definitely improve, especially in developingcountries that depend heavily on sugar exports. But the prospectsfor substantial reform of the sugar market are not promising,even though the GATT Uruguay Round continues. This article putsforward some modest proposals for changing the existing interventionsto lessen economic distortions and reduce costs.      

冲一杯咖啡

冲一杯咖啡,在一个自己喜欢的角落,选择一个舒适的姿势坐下,窗外是深冬的夜晚——在北方,这样的夜晚,窗外一片寒凉,窗内一室暖味;在南方,我想该是温暖与寒冷的杂糅,只是我不曾亲历。我们在这样的夜晚,端坐,冥想。     

论建立适应市场经济要求的信贷退出机制

信贷退出指金融企业(主要是商业银行)停止作为贷款卖方的行为.从既有市场撤退,既包括从以企业为主的客户退出,也包括从行业、地区退出.建立社会主义市场经济、加快国有经济的战略性调整和国有企业的战略性改组、提高信贷资产质量、深化商业银行改革、以及为了更好地迎接入世的挑战等,都需要尽快建立信贷退出机制.由于我国经济生活中存在诸如高负债、行政干预、破产等信贷退出壁垒,因此,应从加强政府宏观指导、大力发展资本市场、改善企业资本结构、加快信贷结构调整、增强信贷决策和管理水平、把握最佳退出时机、选择最佳退出方式、积极开拓信贷市场等方面建立和健全我国的信贷退出机制.