Development and income distribution: A case study of Sri Lanka and Malaysia

This paper compares the pattern of change in the size-distribution of incomes in Sri Lanka and Malaysia and attempts to explain these changes. It also uses these case studies to illustrate some weaknesses in the ‘orthodox’ view, derived from cross-section analysis, of the relationship between economic development and income distribution in developing economies.     

The Contribution of Fisher to Enterprise Income Theory: A Comment

Income is indeed a will-o'-the-wisp. One of its modem founding fathers was Irving Fisher, who emphasized the psychic experience of consumption. This paper discusses some aspects of Fisher's contribution to the continuipg debate on the elusive concept of income.
Le revenu est un vrai feu follet. Un de ses fondateurs actuels fut Irving Fisher qui fit valoir l'aspect psychique de la consommation. Ce papier examine certains aspects de l'intervention de Fisher dans les débats incessants dirigés sur I'insaisissable concept du revenu.
Das Ertragskonzept ist allerdings ein Irrlicht. Einer seiner modernen Stamniväter war Irving Fisher, der die pschische Erfahrung yon Verbrauch zum Ausdruck brachte. Diese Abhandlung besprict einige Aspekte des Fisher-Beitrages zur fortdauernden Debatte uber das schwer erfassbare Ertragskonzept.     

Inferring Trade Direction from Intraday Data

This paper evaluates alternative methods for classifying individual trades as market buy or market sell orders using intraday trade and quote data. We document two potential problems with quote-based methods of trade classification: quotes may be recorded ahead of trades that triggered them, and trades inside the spread are not readily classifiable. These problems are analyzed in the context of the interaction between exchange floor agents. We then propose and test relatively simple procedures for improving trade classifications.     

Fixed‐Rate Mortgages,Labor Markets,and Efficiency

The paper studies the effects of mortgage choices between fixed‐rate mortgages (FRMs) and adjustable‐rate mortgages (ARMs) on labor market efficiency. FRMs provide insurance for risk‐averse borrowers in the sense that they pay the same rate over time and are not subject to uncertain spot market rates. FRMs, however, discourage borrowers from moving to other regions despite better employment opportunities, as they terminate the FRM contracts in order to move and their new loan interests may be higher. As FRM‐borrowers do not move to other regions due to the interest lock‐ins, entrepreneurs in other regions lose the potential surpluses from productive matches that would have occurred between borrowers‐workers and entrepreneurs. Borrowers ignore this negative externality they impose on the entrepreneurs when choosing their mortgages, and too many borrowers choose FRMs relative to the efficient level. If FRMs are eliminated and ARM‐insurance (that protects ARM‐borrowers against uncertain adjustable interest rates) is created, it will improve efficiency. The paper also assesses quantitatively the welfare effects of eliminating FRMs and providing ARM‐insurance.