Convexity theory for the term structure equation

We study the convexity and model parameter monotonicity properties for prices of bonds and bond options when the short rate is modeled by a diffusion process. We provide sharp conditions on the model parameters under which the convexity of the price in the short rate is guaranteed. Under these conditions, the price is decreasing in the drift and increasing in the volatility of the short rate. We also study the convexity properties of the logarithm of the price and find simple conditions on the coefficients that guarantee that the price is log-convex or log-concave.      

The Subdominant Eigenvalue of a Large Stochastic Matrix

Using intuition and computer experimentation, Brady conjectured that the ratio of the subdominant eigenvalue to the dominant eigenvalue of a positive random matrix (with identically and independently distributed entries) converges to zero when the number of the sectors tends to infinity. In this paper, we discuss the deterministic case and, among other things, prove the following version of this conjecture: if each entry of the matrix deviates from 1/n by at most θ/n^1+е, then the modulus of the subdominant root is at most θ/n^е where θ and ε are arbitrary positive real parameters.     

Sollten Marketing und Vertrieb prozessorientiert geführt werden?

In vielen Unternehmen stellt die Marketing- und Vertriebsorganisation eine permanente Baustelle dar. Problematisch ist v.a. die Ausrichtung der zahlreichen Teilfunktionen mit Marketing- und Vertriebsaufgaben auf die Bedürfnisse des Kunden. Zunehmend setzen Unternehmen Techniken des Prozessmanagements ein, um Kundenorientierung sicherzustellen. Dieser Beitrag geht auf die Hintergründe ein. Er liefert zudem empirische Ergebnisse zur derzeitigen Prozessorientierung deutscher Unternehmen in Marketing und Vertrieb, die auf positive Effektivit?ts- und Effizienzwirkungen eines prozessorientierten Marketing hindeuten.     

Ein neuer Zugang zum Konzept des Discounted Cashflow

A lot of papers have been published about the concept of discounted cash flow or DCF. In this paper we will summarize the recent development and review the main results. After showing the main weaknesses of the concept we will make a sketch of some promising ideas that can form the basis to overcome these weaknesses.     

The state as the investor of last resort: a comparative study of banking crises in Denmark and Sweden

This article addresses the role of the state in bailouts, i.e. government objectives and measures during banking crises. Our main question concerns the incentives and measures that governments pursue in a state of a systemic banking crisis, and why they are launched. What have been the objectives and operations when a government has decided to act as an investor of last resort and take control of commercial banks? The answer is limited to cover the financial history of two countries. The study unveils government interventions in the latest crises in Denmark and Sweden, and critically analyse which objectives justified the setting up of organisations for financial stability. The two country-cases differ in terms of historical experience, context, and time-period. We compare intrinsic principles and perceptions for government intervention, with a focus on bailouts and state-owned banks. We argue that the implementation of measures dates back to the early phases of capitalism in the 19th century i.e. is part of a historical institutional pattern. The similarities shown indicate that there is an international standard for a public–private arrangement ensuring financial stability. Our results relate to the discussion of launching effective and legitimate state policies during and after a systemic banking crisis.     

Energy and machines. Energy capital ratios in Europe and Latin America. 1875–1970

The relationship between energy and capital is one of the most important aspects of modern economic growth. Machines need energy to produce all the goods we enjoy; energy would be far less useful for humankind in absence of machines. However, the great majority of the economic models do not take into account the elasticities of substitution (or complementaries) between these two main variables. Actually, energy is absent in many growth models and discussions on diverging economic development paths. We approach this relevant issue from a new perspective: energy and capital relations during 100 years. We use the latest estimations of capital stock (machinery and equipment) and energy consumption for Latin America and compare them with those of Western Europe. The energy–capital ratio (how much energy is used per unit of capital) could be a predictor of economic growth, thus providing stylised facts about the timing and causes of the different modernisation patterns of these regions and showing us some answers on the long-run relationship between energy consumption and capital accumulation.     

Corporate Diversification and the Cost of Debt

The Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics - This paper investigates whether corporate diversification by property type and by geography reduces the costs of debt capital. It employs...