A comparative analysis of perception of dividends by financial managers

This paper is a report about the perception of dividends by Chief financial officers (CFOs). The research encompasses five countries, on three continents, and covers three types of economies. Our cross-sectional study is concerned with both inter- and intra-societal differences that may or may not exist regarding the perception of dividends by those who are in charge of making such decisions in the firm. Using a survey instrument, we find that both similarities and dissimilarities exist inter- and intra-culturally. Perhaps the most important conclusion we reach is that dividend research must take a different track than it has been following so far.     

Anomalies in finance: What are they and what are they good for?

In the natural sciences, anomalies contribute significantly to the development of new and ultimately more successful theories. The role of anomalies in financial economics, however, has been quite different. Although at the beginning, the word was used to show deviations from the Efficient Markets Hypothesis (EMH)/Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) paradigm, lately, it has been applied to a new literature that is also more accurately called Behavioral Finance (BF). This paper argues that this misuse and misapplication of the word anomaly is not a simple coincidence. It is rather a sophisticated and accordant effort to imply that although there are some unresolved deviations from the norm, the reigning paradigm is irreplaceable, and its validity needs no empirical proof. In fact, an alternative paradigm such as BF is not only insignificant but also unnecessary and even impossible.     

ESTIMATION AND SELECTION BIAS IN MEAN-VARIANCE PORTFOLIO SELECTION

Much research has focused on the problem of selecting portfolios without the benefit of parametric measures of risk and return. In this paper, a Monte Carlo technique is used to isolate the extent and nature of the problems introduced by this practice. The technique is employed in the context of classical statistical methodology without permitting short sales. It is shown that using estimators of expected return and risk not only obscures parametric values, but also affects portfolio composition in the Markowitz framework. In this study, these two components of bias are isolated and measured.     

FURTHER ANALYSIS OF THE PUT-CALL PARITY IMPLIED RISK-FREE INTEREST RATE

In this paper the put-call parity implied riskless rate of borrowing and lending is re-examined. Using a rigorous model, it is shown that, given the level of an observable proxy of the risk-free rate of lending (T-bill rates, for example), the put-call parity provides an opportunity to borrow at rates substantially below the market rate of lending. This is especially true when high interest rates prevail. The major conclusion is either that American option prices may invalidate the parity, or that option markets are not as frictionless as one might wish.