Growth to value: Option exercise and the cross section of equity returns

We propose a general equilibrium model to study the link between the cross section of expected returns and book-to-market characteristics. We model two primitive assets: value assets and growth assets that are options on assets in place. The cost of option exercise, which is endogenously determined in equilibrium, is highly procyclical and acts as a hedge against risks in assets in place. Consequently, growth options are less risky than value assets, and the model features a value premium. Our model incorporates long-run risks in aggregate consumption and replicates the empirical failure of the conditional capital asset pricing model (CAPM) prediction. The model also quantitatively accounts for the pattern in mean returns on book-to-market sorted portfolios, the magnitude of the CAPM-alphas, and other stylized features of the cross-sectional data.     

On the determinants of household debt maturity choice

This article jointly analyses a behavioural and a cultural concept to explain household debt portfolio choice. The behavioural approach explores the role of time preferences on household debt maturity in a theoretical model and a numerical analysis. We derive a positive relationship between the long-term discount factor δ and the optimal maturity of household loans. The cultural approach examines whether national culture is a reasonable predictor for household debt maturity. We show that culture is an important factor for households’ borrowing decisions and has even more predictive power than time preferences. Countries with higher scores on the Hofstede dimension of long-term orientation tend to have shorter household debt maturity. Time preferences incur a primarily mediating role, because the effect of national culture on the borrowing decision is reduced, as the long-term discount factor δ increases.     

Dynamics of fine wine and asset prices: evidence from short- and long-run co-movements

This article examines short- and long-term price linkages among the majority of fine wine and equity markets over the period of 2003 to 2012. We do not consider the price index (LIV-EX 100 or 500), as is typically undertaken in previous studies, but rather examine the auction price series of the world’s most traded wine-vintage pairs (5 Bordeaux first growth, 8 Bordeaux second growth, 5 Burgundy, 3 Rhone, 4 Italian, 5 Californian, 1 Australian and 1 Portuguese). A global equity index is also included using the Morgan Stanley Capital International World. Cointegration procedures, the Granger non-causality test, and ECM are used to analyse short- and long-run relationships among these markets. The results indicate a strong effect of financial markets on wine prices and short-term causality for certain wines. Moreover, the findings indicate short-run causality between the wines themselves, revealing a leader (exogenous) or follower (endogenous) status of certain fine wines in price dynamics, and also long-run causality for endogenous wines. This approach is relevant to portfolio diversification strategies and allows price movements to be anticipated more accurately than using an index approach.     

Does Libertarian Paternalism Reconcile Merit Goods Theory with Mainstream Economics?

In the wake of Musgrave's move to question the absolute hegemony of individual preferences for normative economics in the 1950's by propounding the existence of merit goods, a recent book by Thaler and Sunstein is now making a similar claim under the label of ‘libertarian paternalism’. This paper tackles the question of why the framework of libertarian paternalism has received a so much more friendly reception among economists than the theory of merit goods. The main reason is a better foundation, not only for the conditions under which paternalism may be justified but also for the tools that should be applied, utilizing transaction cost theory.     

Access to finance for innovators in the UK's environmental sector

Technological innovations are seen as one of the best solutions to mitigate the environmental impacts of economic activity. Yet, the innovative success of firms, especially small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the environmental sector is dependent on the presence of appropriate external financing to support their innovative activity. In an attempt to understand the circumstances surrounding the financing of 330 UK SMEs from the environmental sector between 2007 and 2010, we investigate the relationship between different types of innovation activity and sources of external finance. We observe a clear division of labour between the three external sources of finance, namely, banks, venture capital and government in terms of the types of innovations they finance. We also identify that finance gap affects environmental SMEs with early-stage and less applied research projects. We discuss the challenges for UK environmental SMEs to engage in innovative activity and call for an increased government action in order to support innovative SMEs with early-stage projects and to instil confidence in the private investors by signalling long-term commitment.     

Hilferding on derivatives

Abstract

Rudolf Hilferding has always been regarded as a leading Marxist scholar. His theoretical intervention is still considered to be benchmark in Political Economy. Nevertheless, Hilferding's approach to derivatives has been left untouched. The aim of this paper is precisely to fill this gap in the literature. Hilferding realised that the development of the stock exchange was indeed parallel to another important event: the emergence of standardised derivative exchanges; he underlined their economic significance for the organisation of capitalism. In spite of how one appraises the final outcome of his analysis, the intention to incorporate futures markets in his general approach and to analyse them using Marxian theoretical categories is quite exceptional in the long tradition of political economy.     

房地产企业融资模式的法律风险研究——以辽宁省锦州市为例

现阶段,锦州房地产企业融资模式主要是采用房屋预售、施工单位垫资和民间借贷这三种直接融资模式。这三种模式都面临着不同的法律与财务风险。选择合适的融资渠道,实现有效融资,是关系到锦州房地产企业生死存亡的关键。锦州房地产企业防范融资风险,需要政府、社会共同努力改善融资环境,选择符合锦州房地产企业特点的融资方式,完善相关法律规范。房地产企业自身也应在融资过程中运用法务会计相关技术方法控制和规避法律与财务风险的发生。同时,应根据本企业的实际特点建立起相应的法务风险防控制度与监督机制。     

企业物流业务外包的利益与风险分析

企业物流业务外包能够减少设备投资,降低成本;集中有限资源,发展核心业务;得到更专业化的服务,提高服务质量。需要注意的问题是:物流业务外包在带来利益的同时,也隐藏着物流业务控制能力下降、客户关系管理削弱、信息泄露等风险。企业应正确识别核心竞争力,选择好外包伙伴,控制物流外包活动,调整企业内部组织结构,以"双赢"为原则,巩固合作关系。     

郑州市科技与金融结合的路径及政策取向研究

目前,郑州市科技型中小企业融资需求呈现的特点是高需求、小额度的特点;融资渠道单一,门槛和成本过高,难以获得风险投资以及政府资金的扶持。郑州市应借鉴美国财政性金融对科技的资金供给、金融中介资金供给、科技对金融的技术供给等路径,以及国内科技与金融结合路径的先进经验,结合郑州市科技型中小企业融资需求特点以及科技金融结合的现状,从培育科技创新资金的供给主体、拓宽科技企业融资渠道、健全支撑体系等方面制定相关政策,努力做好科技与金融的结合工作,增强企业的自主创新能力,培育和发展新兴战略产业。     

上市公司高管过度自信对现金股利政策的影响

抛弃经典财务理论中理性经理人的假设,将规范研究与实证研究相结合,以2006—2010年我国沪深两市A股上市公司作为研究样本,用管理者的相对薪酬、持股状况和实施并购次数构建综合指标来衡量公司高管的过度自信程度,从公司高管过度自信的视角重新审视上市公司的现金股利分配行为。研究结果表明:管理者过度自信的上市公司倾向于少发放现金股利来增强内部融资;上市公司的成长性越强,管理者的过度自信对现金股利分配决策的影响越显著。