An extension of the multi-output state-contingent production model

This paper presents new developments on the state-contingent theory of production under uncertainty with stochastic prices. Our main purpose is to generalize the usual finite discrete state-contingent production model to infinite dimensional, possibly uncountable spaces which look like a more realistic framework. Usual duality results are established in this general context, shedding some light on the links between risk-neutral probabilities and shadow prices. A direct generalized production risk premium is defined and is shown to be independent of the inputs level when the technology is output translation homothetic. In such a case, the technology exhibits constant absolute riskiness. We thank Bob Chambers for his helpful comments.     

Home-field advantage or a matter of ambiguity aversion? Local bias among German individual investors

This paper investigates whether familiarity induced by ambiguity aversion can help explaining the local bias phenomenon among individual investors. Using geographic closeness as a proxy for investor familiarity, we find that investors pull out of (unfamiliar) remote stocks and pour into (familiar) local stocks during times of increased market uncertainty. Moreover, the magnitude of this ‘flight to familiarity’ increases in the spread of an investor's ambiguity (about expected returns) between local and remote stocks. Our results prove robust to a number of alternative explanations of local bias. Specifically, we rule out a ‘home-field advantage’, where investors are able to translate information advantages about nearby companies into excess returns on their local stockholdings. We conclude that individual investors’ local bias is induced by ambiguity aversion in the portfolio selection process rather than a trading strategy based on superior information about local companies.     

Numerical evaluation of the critical price and American options

An approximate solution to the American put value is proposed and implemented numerically. Relaxation techniques enable the critical price to be determined with high accuracy. The method uses a modification of the quadratic approximation of MacMillan and Barone-Adesi and Whaley which gives an expression for the critical price. Numerical experimentation and iterative methods quickly provide highly accurate solutions.     

Differential taxation and the equilibrium structure of interest rates

Equilibrium coupon bond pricing relationships given differential taxation are derived under uncertainty assuming that both corporate and municipal bonds were originally issued at par but are currently selling at a discount. The impact of differential taxation upon the term structure and coupon structure of interest rates is investigated, while the tax structure of interest rates is uniquely characterized. Differential taxation substantially alters the prevailing equilibrium structure of interest rates.     

Rate-base valuation methods and firm efficiency

The economic performance of public utilities under different rate-base valuation methods is examined in this paper. A unique procedure, involving Ordinary Least Squares regression analysis, examined data for all usable firms in states which have changed rate-base methods since World War II. The sample consists of 20 electric firms extending over 30 years of time-series data. Equations for individual firms were run to capture the effects of changes on rate-base methods on capital intensity and capacity utilization on each separate business. Contrary to expectations, there was no clear pattern indicating that firms in the sample increased the rate of capital intensity when their rate-base method was changed to fair value from original cost. Similarly, expected excess capacity was not found under fair-value regulation. The general conclusion is that there is no reason to believe that different rate-base valuation methods induce allocative inefficiency. Nevertheless, inefficiency may already exist in regulated monopolies in the form of X-inefficiency.     

On inferring standard deviations from path dependent options

Path dependent option prices are employed to derive implied standard deviations of the underlying security price process without recourse to numerical procedures. We empirically illustrate our methodology by inferring the volatility of gold prices.