Information–driven trading at the Prague Stock Exchange: Evidence from Intra–Day Data

Many observers argue that informed and insider trading is widespread in the emerging financial markets of transition countries, yet rigorous treatment of this issue has been virtually non–existent. The current paper estimates the extent of informed trading on the Prague Stock Exchange (PSE) using intra–day transaction data. Our estimates confirm that the average share of informed trading is equal to 0.32, which is high relative to developed markets and varies considerably among stocks. Using the Easley et al. (1996) approach on the very best segment of the PSE we obtained a high average probability of informed trading. Since data used in this study cover the period after the major attempts to improve market regulations, our results indicate that the PSE needs further strengthening to recover credibility and to become a real source of corporate financing. JEL classification: G14, G15.     

HOW to Deal with It？

In near future, China is not possible to encounter year deficit in trade. However, monthly trade deficit is an alert, as it indicates that Chinese economy still has ruinerabilities that can not be neglected.     

Book production and the onset of modern economic growth

We provide a new data set on per capita book production as a proxy for advanced literacy skills, and assess this relative to other measures. While literacy proxies very basic skills, book production per capita is an indicator for more advanced capabilities. Growth theory suggests that human capital formation plays a significant role in creating the ‘wealth of nations.’ This study tests whether human capital formation has an impact on early-modern growth disparities. In contrast to some previous studies which denied the role of human capital as a crucial determinant of long-term growth, we confirm its importance.      

对我国电信产业规制与制度供给的几点思考

由于电信产业具有自然垄断性，政府应对电信产业实行规制，以促进资源的合理配置，提高消费者的福利水平。我国电信产业规制的历程告诉我们，政府作为实施电信产业规制的主体，应该以追求全社会福利的最大化为目标来提供有效的制度供给，只有这样才能更好地促进电信产业经济效益和服务质量的不断提高。     

Institutions and Strategies: Trends and Obstacles to Recruiting Workers into Trade Unions in Poland

In this article, we examine the role of institutional context, organizational structures and trade union strategies in tempering membership decline in the number of trade unions in Poland. Empirical data include membership statistics collected for NSZZ Solidarno?? and 54 affiliates of two other largest trade union confederations (OPZZ and FZZ) supplemented by semi‐structured interviews with union leaders. In a decentralized collective bargaining system in Poland, a centralized trade union confederation (NSZZ Solidarno??) can more easily shift resources to efficiently organize workers than decentralized confederations, OPZZ and FZZ, whose development is mostly driven by competing trade unions representing narrower occupational groups. In conclusion, this observation is put in a broader context of the debates about trade union renewal in Eastern Europe.     

Financing preferences: evidence from the Korean market

We investigate the financing decisions of Korean firms during the period of 1996–2015. Korean firms follow a matching strategy for funding their cash needs. Cash inflows from investing activities are the primary source of funding for capital expenditures, and cash inflows from financing activities are the major means of covering cash outflows from financing activities. We also find that Korean firms’ financing practice of handling cash deficits can be described by the pecking order model modified and augmented by cash flow variables. Cash inflows from investing activities account for the major portion of financing to make up for cash deficits, followed by short- and long-term debt, and then equity financing.     

从产品出口结构看中国与欧盟农产品贸易关系

本文借鉴已有的国家间农产品贸易竞争和互补关系研究方法,通过计算显性比较优势指数、出口产品相似度指数和出口产品贸易分散度指数,从产品出口结构的角度来评价中国与欧盟国家农产品贸易关系。文章分析指出,中国与欧盟各国农产品贸易关系以互补性为主,而以竞争性为辅;此外,中国与欧盟国家相比具有相对较好的多样化农产品出口结构。因此,中国与欧盟的这种贸易关系有利于双方农产品贸易的进一步发展。     

Global dynamics,capabilities and the crisis

The financial crisis started in 2007–8, initially in the US, but its consequences have been felt throughout the global economy. However, its effects were far from uniform. While parts of Asia and Africa continued to grow fast, Europe experienced a large set back. This paper emphasizes three important factors: differences across countries in technological development; differences in capacities to exploit the opportunities offered by technology; and differences in the ability to compete in international market. A formal model, based on this approach, is developed and applied to data for 100 countries in the period 1997–2012. Empirical indicators reflecting the various factors are developed, a dataset constructed and econometric estimates of the model performed. The results are used to explore the factors behind the slowdown in economic growth, with a particular emphasis on the continuing stagnation in Europe. A major factor turns out to be the increased financialization of the economy. The negative effect of the growth of finance prior to the crisis is especially pronounced for the countries that suffered most during the crisis.     

后金融危机时期的金融创新策略与风险监管

金融创新与金融风险两者之间是一种相互促进、相互发展的关系。金融创新在为转移和分散金融风险做出了巨大贡献的同时也带来了新的风险。后金融危机时期我们不能停止金融创新的步伐,但一方面应注意处理好虚拟经济与实体经济的关系、处理好市场导向与加强监管的关系、处理好交易所市场与场外市场的关系;另一方面应通过实施有效的监管安排来防范和化解市场的宏观风险。