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1 – 10 of 43Haydory Akbar Ahmed and Hedieh Shadmani
In this research, we explore the dynamics among measures of income inequality in the USA, male and female unemployment rates, and growth in government transfer using time series…
Abstract
Purpose
In this research, we explore the dynamics among measures of income inequality in the USA, male and female unemployment rates, and growth in government transfer using time series data.
Design/methodology/approach
This research adopts a macro-econometric approach to estimate a structural VAR model using time series data.
Findings
Our structural impulse responses found that growth in government transfer increases unemployment rates for both males and females. Female income inequality declines with increased government transfer. When the female income ratio rises, we observe that government transfer outlays fall over the forecast horizon. Variance decomposition finds that growth in government transfers is impacted by the male unemployment rate relatively more than the female unemployment rate. This research, therefore, suggests gender-specific government transfers to reduce income inequality. This, in effect, may reduce government transfer outlays over time.
Practical implications
This research, therefore, suggests gender-specific government transfers to reduce income inequality. This, in effect, may reduce government transfer outlays over time.
Originality/value
This research investigates the dynamics among income inequality, government transfer, and unemployment rates. There is a dearth of research articles that adopt a macro-econometric in this area.
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Bingzi Jin, Xiaojie Xu and Yun Zhang
Predicting commodity futures trading volumes represents an important matter to policymakers and a wide spectrum of market participants. The purpose of this study is to concentrate…
Abstract
Purpose
Predicting commodity futures trading volumes represents an important matter to policymakers and a wide spectrum of market participants. The purpose of this study is to concentrate on the energy sector and explore the trading volume prediction issue for the thermal coal futures traded in Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange in China with daily data spanning January 2016–December 2020.
Design/methodology/approach
The nonlinear autoregressive neural network is adopted for this purpose and prediction performance is examined based upon a variety of settings over algorithms for model estimations, numbers of hidden neurons and delays and ratios for splitting the trading volume series into training, validation and testing phases.
Findings
A relatively simple model setting is arrived at that leads to predictions of good accuracy and stabilities and maintains small prediction errors up to the 99.273th quantile of the observed trading volume.
Originality/value
The results could, on one hand, serve as standalone technical trading volume predictions. They could, on the other hand, be combined with different (fundamental) prediction results for forming perspectives of trading trends and carrying out policy analysis.
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The purpose of this study is to investigate the interplay between fiscal dominance and monetary policy in South Africa from 1960 to 2023.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the interplay between fiscal dominance and monetary policy in South Africa from 1960 to 2023.
Design/methodology/approach
The study employs a structural vector autoregression (SVAR) medel to analyze the relationship between fiscal dominance and monetary policy. Short-term and long-term shocks of government borrowing and deficits are examined to understand their impact on inflation dynamics.
Findings
Fiscal dominance has a significant effect both in the short and long run. There is evidence that government debt and deficits increase inflation, overriding the effects of monetary policy aimed at maintaining price stability. On the other hand, the study reveals that money supply shocks have a greater effect in reducing fiscal dominance compared to interest rate shocks. The variance movement on inflation is significantly explained by government debt and deficits. This emphasizes the persistence of inflationary pressures associated with fiscal dominance, highlighting the importance of effective policy interventions to mitigate inflationary risks.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the existing literature by providing insights into the dynamics of fiscal dominance in South Africa. Moreover, this study extends the theoretical framework of the fiscal theory of the price level (FTPL) and the government budget constraint. This study contributes valuable insights into the dynamics of fiscal dominance in South Africa and offers guidance for policymakers in formulating strategies to safeguard economic stability.
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Emmanuel Joel Aikins Abakah, Nader Trabelsi, Aviral Kumar Tiwari and Samia Nasreen
This study aims to provide empirical evidence on the return and volatility spillover structures between Bitcoin, Fintech stocks and Asian-Pacific equity markets over time and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to provide empirical evidence on the return and volatility spillover structures between Bitcoin, Fintech stocks and Asian-Pacific equity markets over time and during different market conditions, and their implications for portfolio management.
Design/methodology/approach
We use Time-varying parameter vector autoregressive and quantile frequency connectedness approach models for the connectedness framework, in conjunction with Diebold and Yilmaz’s connectivity approach. Additionally, we use the minimum connectedness portfolio model to highlight implications for portfolio management.
Findings
Regarding the uncertainty of the whole system, we show a small contribution from Bitcoin and Fintech, with a higher contribution from the four Asian Tigers (Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong and Thailand). The quantile and frequency analyses also demonstrate that the link among assets is symmetric, with short-term spillovers having the largest influence. Finally, Bitcoins and Fintech stocks are excellent diversification and hedging instruments for Asian equity investors.
Practical implications
There is an instantaneous, symmetric and dynamic return and volatility spillover between Asian stock markets, Fintech and Bitcoin. This conclusion should be considered by investors and portfolio managers when creating risk diversification strategies, as well as by policymakers when implementing their financial stability policies.
Originality/value
The study’s major contribution is to analyze the volatility spillover between Bitcoin, Fintech and Asian stock markets, which is dynamic, symmetric and immediate.
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Robert Mwanyepedza and Syden Mishi
The study aims to estimate the short- and long-run effects of monetary policy on residential property prices in South Africa. Over the past decades, there has been a monetary…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to estimate the short- and long-run effects of monetary policy on residential property prices in South Africa. Over the past decades, there has been a monetary policy shift, from targeting money supply and exchange rate to inflation. The shifts have affected residential property market dynamics.
Design/methodology/approach
The Johansen cointegration approach was used to estimate the effects of changes in monetary policy proxies on residential property prices using quarterly data from 1980 to 2022.
Findings
Mortgage finance and economic growth have a significant positive long-run effect on residential property prices. The consumer price index, the inflation targeting framework, interest rates and exchange rates have a significant negative long-run effect on residential property prices. The Granger causality test has depicted that exchange rate significantly influences residential property prices in the short run, and interest rates, inflation targeting framework, gross domestic product, money supply consumer price index and exchange rate can quickly return to equilibrium when they are in disequilibrium.
Originality/value
There are limited arguments whether the inflation targeting monetary policy framework in South Africa has prevented residential property market boom and bust scenarios. The study has found that the implementation of inflation targeting framework has successfully reduced booms in residential property prices in South Africa.
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This study aims to investigate the dynamics between exogenous shocks, financial stress and economic performance in the USA from January 1995 to August 2023.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the dynamics between exogenous shocks, financial stress and economic performance in the USA from January 1995 to August 2023.
Design/methodology/approach
Granger-causality tests and impulse response analyses are used to examine causal relationships and dynamic responses among crude oil prices, real M2 money supply, financial stress and key economic indicators.
Findings
This study reveals a significant correlation between elevated financial stress and reduced real output, along with disruptions in the labor market, potentially leading to economic recessionary trends. Failure to address these challenges could perpetuate labor market difficulties, weaken capital accumulation within the loanable funds market and ultimately hinder long-term economic growth prospects in the USA.
Practical implications
This study offers insights for policymakers to mitigate financial stress. Recommendations include enhancing financial surveillance, strengthening regulatory frameworks, promoting economic diversification and implementing countercyclical policies to stabilize the economy and support labor markets. In addition, proactive monitoring of financial stress indicators can serve as early warning signals, aiding in timely interventions and effective risk management strategies.
Originality/value
This research provides a comprehensive analysis of how the financial stress index (FSI) mediates the effects of external shocks on the US economy, addressing a gap in existing literature. The integration of the FSI into the analysis enhances the understanding of the transmission channels through which external shocks influence the economy.
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Richard J. Volpe, Xiaowei Cai, Presley Roldan and Alexander Stevens
The COVID-19 pandemic was a shock to the food supply chain without modern precedent. Challenges in production, manufacturing, distribution and retailing led to the highest rates…
Abstract
Purpose
The COVID-19 pandemic was a shock to the food supply chain without modern precedent. Challenges in production, manufacturing, distribution and retailing led to the highest rates of food price inflation in the US since the 1970s. The major goal of this paper is to describe statistically the impact of the pandemic of food price inflation and volatility in the US and to discuss implications for industry and for policymakers.
Design/methodology/approach
We use Bureau of Labor Statistics data to investigate food prices in the US, 2020–2021. We apply 16 statistical approaches to measure price changes and volatility and three regression approaches to measure counterfactuals of food prices, had the pandemic not occurred.
Findings
Food price inflation and volatility increased substantially during the early months of the pandemic, with a great deal of heterogeneity across food products and geographic regions. Food price inflation was most pronounced for meats, and contrary to expectations, highest in the western US Forecasting approaches demonstrate that grocery prices were about 7% higher than they would have been without the pandemic as of the end of 2021.
Originality/value
The research on COVID-19 and the food system remains in its nascent stage. As findings on food loss and waste, employment and wages, food insecurity and more proliferate, it is vital to understand how food prices were connected to these phenomena and affected. We also motivate several ideas for future work.
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Mustafa Kocoglu, Xuan-Hoa Nghiem and Ehsan Nikbakht
In this study, we aim to investigate the connectedness spillovers among major cryptocurrency markets. Moreover, we also explore to identify factors driving this connectedness…
Abstract
Purpose
In this study, we aim to investigate the connectedness spillovers among major cryptocurrency markets. Moreover, we also explore to identify factors driving this connectedness, particularly focusing on the sentimentality of total, short-term, and long-term return connectedness spillovers among cryptocurrencies under Twitter-based economic uncertainties and US economic policy uncertainty. Finally, we investigate the extent to which cryptocurrency markets serve as a safe haven, hedge, and diversifier from news-based uncertainties.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employs the connectedness approach following the combination of Ando et al. (2022) QVAR and Baruník and Krehlík's (2018) frequency connectedness methodologies into the framework proposed by Diebold and Yilmaz (2012, 2014). The data covered from November 10, 2017, to April 21, 2023, and the factors driving cryptocurrency connectedness spillovers are identified and examined. The sentimentality of total, short-term, and long-term return connectedness spillovers among cryptocurrencies, concerning Twitter-based economic uncertainties and US economic policy uncertainty, are analyzed. We apply the Wavelet quantile correlation (WQC) method developed by Kumar and Padakandla (2022) to explore the effects of Twitter-based economic uncertainties and US economic policy uncertainty on Cryptocurrency market connectedness risk spillovers. Besides, we check and present the robustness of WQC findings with the multivariate stochastic volatility method.
Findings
Our findings indicate that Ethereum and Bitcoin are net shock transmitters at the center of the connectedness return network. Ethereum and Bitcoin hold the highest market capitalization and value in the cryptocurrency market, respectively. This suggests that return shocks originating from these two cryptocurrencies have the most significant impact on other cryptocurrencies. Tether and Monero are the net receivers of return shocks, while Cardano and XRP exhibit weak shock-transmitting characteristics through returns. In terms of return spillovers, Ethereum is the most effective, followed by Bitcoin and Stellar. Further analysis reveals that Twitter economic policy uncertainty and US economic policy uncertainty are effective drivers of short-term and total directional spillovers. These uncertainty indices exhibit positive coefficient signs in short-term and total directional spillovers, which turn predominantly negative in different magnitudes and frequency ranges in the long term. In addition, we also document that as the Total Connectedness Index (TCI) value increases, market risk also rises. Also, our empirical findings provide significant evidence of Twitter-based economic uncertainties and US economic policy uncertainty that affect short-term market risks. Hence, we state that risk-connectedness spillovers in cryptocurrency markets enclose permanent or temporary shock variations. Besides, findings of the low value of long-term spillovers suggest that risk shocks in cryptocurrency markets are not permanent, indicating long-term changes require careful monitoring and control over market dynamics.
Practical implications
In this study, we find evidence that Twitter's news-based uncertainty and US economic policy uncertainty have a significant effect on short-term market risk spillovers. Furthermore, we observe that high cryptocurrency market risk spillovers coincide with periods of events such as the US-China trade tensions in January 2018, the Brexit process in February 2019, and the COVID-19 outbreak in November 2019. Next, we observe a decline in cryptocurrency market risk spillovers after March 2020. The reason for this mitigation of market risk spillover may be that the Fed's quantitative easing signals have initiated a relaxation process in the markets. Because the Fed's signal to fight inflation in March 2022 also coincides with the period when risk spillover increased in crypto markets. Based on this, we present evidence that the FED's communication mechanism with the markets can potentially affect both short- and long-term expectations. In this context, we can say that our hypothesis that uncertainty about the news causes short-term risks to increase has been confirmed. Our findings may have investment policy implications for portfolio managers and investors generally in terms of reducing financial risks.
Originality/value
Our paper contributes to the literature by examining the interconnectedness among major cryptocurrencies and the drivers behind them, particularly focusing on the role of news-based economic uncertainties. More broadly, we calculate the utilization of advanced methodologies and the incorporation of real-time economic uncertainty data to enhance the originality and value of the research, which provides insights into the dynamics of cryptocurrency markets.
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Cosimo Magazzino and Fabio Gaetano Santeramo
In this paper, the heterogeneity of the linkages among financial development, productivity and growth across income groups is emphasized.
Abstract
Purpose
In this paper, the heterogeneity of the linkages among financial development, productivity and growth across income groups is emphasized.
Design/methodology/approach
An empirical analysis is conducted with an illustrative sample of 130 economies over the period 1991–2019 and classified into four subsamples: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), developing, least developed and net food importing developing countries. Forecast error variance decompositions and panel vector auto-regressive estimations are computed, with insightful findings.
Findings
Higher levels of output stimulate the economic development in the agricultural sector, mainly via the productivity channel and, in the most developed economies, also through access to credit. Differently, in developing and least developed economies, the role of access to credit is marginal. The findings have practical implications for stakeholders involved in the planning of long-run investments. In less developed economies, priorities should be given to investments in technology and innovation, whereas financial markets are more suited to boost the development of the agricultural sector of developed economies.
Originality/value
The authors conclude on the credit–output–productivity nexus and contribute to the literature in (at least) three ways. First, they assess how credit access, agricultural output and agricultural productivity are jointly determined. Second, they use a novel approach, which departs from most of the case studies based on single-country data. Third, they conclude on potential causality links to conclude on policy implications.
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Christina Anderl and Guglielmo Maria Caporale
The article aims to establish whether the degree of aversion to inflation and the responsiveness to deviations from potential output have changed over time.
Abstract
Purpose
The article aims to establish whether the degree of aversion to inflation and the responsiveness to deviations from potential output have changed over time.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper assesses time variation in monetary policy rules by applying a time-varying parameter generalised methods of moments (TVP-GMM) framework.
Findings
Using monthly data until December 2022 for five inflation targeting countries (the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden) and five countries with alternative monetary regimes (the US, Japan, Denmark, the Euro Area, Switzerland), we find that monetary policy has become more averse to inflation and more responsive to the output gap in both sets of countries over time. In particular, there has been a clear shift in inflation targeting countries towards a more hawkish stance on inflation since the adoption of this regime and a greater response to both inflation and the output gap in most countries after the global financial crisis, which indicates a stronger reliance on monetary rules to stabilise the economy in recent years. It also appears that inflation targeting countries pay greater attention to the exchange rate pass-through channel when setting interest rates. Finally, monetary surprises do not seem to be an important determinant of the evolution over time of the Taylor rule parameters, which suggests a high degree of monetary policy transparency in the countries under examination.
Originality/value
It provides new evidence on changes over time in monetary policy rules.
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