Approximate recursive equilibrium with minimal state space

This paper shows existence of approximate recursive equilibrium with minimal state space in an environment of incomplete markets. We prove that the approximate recursive equilibrium implements an approximate sequential equilibrium which is always close to a Magill and Quinzii equilibrium without short sales for arbitrarily small errors. This implies that the competitive equilibrium can be implemented by using forecast statistics with minimal state space provided that agents will reduce errors in their estimates in the long run. We have also developed an alternative algorithm to compute the approximate recursive equilibrium with incomplete markets and heterogeneous agents through a procedure of iterating functional equations and without using the rst order conditions of optimality.

Estimating Brazilian Monthly GDP: a State-Space Approach

This paper has several original contributions. The first is to employ a superior interpolation method that enables to estimate, nowcast and forecast monthly Brazilian GDP for 1980-2012 in an integrated way; see Bernanke, Gertler and Watson (1997, Brookings Papers on Economic Activity). Second, along the spirit of Mariano and Murasawa (2003, Journal of Applied Econometrics), we propose and test a myriad of interpolation models and interpolation auxiliary series- all coincident with GDP from a business-cycle dating point of view. Based on these results, we finally choose the most appropriate monthly indicator for Brazilian GDP. Third, this monthly GDP estimate is compared to an economic activity indicator widely used by practitioners in Brazil - the Brazilian Economic Activity Index - (IBC-Br). We found that the our monthly GDP tracks economic activity better than IBC-Br. This happens by construction, since our state-space approach imposes the restriction (discipline) that our monthly estimate must add up to the quarterly observed series in any given quarter, which may not hold regarding IBC-Br. Moreover, our method has the advantage to be easily implemented: it only requires conditioning on two observed series for estimation, while estimating IBC-Br requires the availability of hundreds of monthly series. Third, in a nowcasting and forecasting exercise, we illustrate the advantages of our integrated approach. Finally, we compare the chronology of recessions of our monthly estimate with those done elsewhere.

Estimating brazilian monthly GDP: a state-space approach

This paper has several original contributions. The rst is to employ a superior interpolation method that enables to estimate, nowcast and forecast monthly Brazilian GDP for 1980-2012 in an integrated way; see Bernanke, Gertler and Watson (1997, Brookings Papers on Economic Activity). Second, along the spirit of Mariano and Murasawa (2003, Journal of Applied Econometrics), we propose and test a myriad of interpolation models and interpolation auxiliary series all coincident with GDP from a business-cycle dating point of view. Based on these results, we nally choose the most appropriate monthly indicator for Brazilian GDP. Third, this monthly GDP estimate is compared to an economic activity indicator widely used by practitioners in Brazil - the Brazilian Economic Activity Index - (IBC-Br). We found that the our monthly GDP tracks economic activity better than IBC-Br. This happens by construction, since our state-space approach imposes the restriction (discipline) that our monthly estimate must add up to the quarterly observed series in any given quarter, which may not hold regarding IBC-Br. Moreover, our method has the advantage to be easily implemented: it only requires conditioning on two observed series for estimation, while estimating IBC-Br requires the availability of hundreds of monthly series. Third, in a nowcasting and forecasting exercise, we illustrate the advantages of our integrated approach. Finally, we compare the chronology of recessions of our monthly estimate with those done elsewhere.

Estimating Brazilian monthly GDP: a state-space approach

This paper has several original contributions. The rst is to employ a superior interpolation method that enables to estimate, nowcast and forecast monthly Brazilian GDP for 1980-2012 in an integrated way; see Bernanke, Gertler and Watson (1997, Brookings Papers on Economic Activity). Second, along the spirit of Mariano and Murasawa (2003, Journal of Applied Econometrics), we propose and test a myriad of interpolation models and interpolation auxiliary series all coincident with GDP from a business-cycle dating point of view. Based on these results, we nally choose the most appropriate monthly indicator for Brazilian GDP. Third, this monthly GDP estimate is compared to an economic activity indicator widely used by practitioners in Brazil- the Brazilian Economic Activity Index - (IBC-Br). We found that the our monthly GDP tracks economic activity better than IBC-Br. This happens by construction, since our state-space approach imposes the restriction (discipline) that our monthly estimate must add up to the quarterly observed series in any given quarter, whichmay not hold regarding IBC-Br. Moreover, our method has the advantage to be easily implemented: it only requires conditioning on two observed series for estimation, while estimating IBC-Br requires the availability of hundreds of monthly series. Third, in a nowcasting and forecasting exercise, we illustrate the advantages of our integrated approach. Finally, we compare the chronology of recessions of our monthly estimate with those done elsewhere.

Estimating Brazilian monthly GDP: a state-space approach

The first contribution of this paper is to employ a superior interpolation method that enables to estimate, nowcast and forecast monthly Brazilian GDP for 1980-2012 in an integrated way; see Bernanke, Gertler and Watson (1997, Brookings Papers on Economic Activity). The second contribution, along the spirit of Mariano and Murasawa (2003, Journal of Applied Econometrics), is to propose and test a myriad of inter-polation models and interpolation auxiliary series all coincident with GDP from a business-cycle dating point of view. Based on these results, we finally choose the most appropriate monthly indicator for Brazilian GDP. Third, this monthly GDP estimate is compared to an economic activity indicator widely used by practitioners in Brazil - the Brazilian Economic Activity Index - (IBC-Br). We found that our monthly GDP tracks economic activity better than IBC-Br. This happens by construction, since our state-space approach imposes the restriction (discipline) that our monthly estimate must add up to the quarterly observed series in any given quarter, which may not hold regarding IBC-Br. Moreover, our method has the advantage to be easily implemented: it only requires conditioning on two observed series for estimation, while estimating IBC-Br requires the availability of hundreds of monthly series. The third contribution is to illustrate, in a nowcasting and forecasting exercise, the advantages of our integrated approach. Finally, we compare the chronology of recessions of our monthly estimate with those done elsewhere.

A general lagrangian approach for non-concave moral hazard problems

We establish a general Lagrangian for the moral hazard problem which generalizes the well known first order approach (FOA). It requires that besides the multiplier of the first order condition, there exist multipliers for the second order condition and for the binding actions of the incentive compatibility constraint. Some examples show that our approach can be useful to treat the finite and infinite state space cases. One of the examples is solved by the second order approach. We also compare our Lagrangian with 1\1irrlees'.

A general lagrangian approach for non-concave moral hazard problems

We establish a general Lagrangian for the moral hazard problem which generalizes the well known first order approach (FOA). It requires that besides the multiplier of the first order condition, there exist multipliers for the second order condition and for the binding actions of the incentive compatibility constraint. Some examples show that our approach can be useful to treat the finite and infinite state space cases. One of the examples is solved by the second order approach. We also compare our Lagrangian with 1\1irrlees'.

Exogenous expectations on endogenous uncertainty: recursive equilibrium and survival

This paper analyses general equilibrium models with finite heterogeneous agents having exogenous expectations on endogenous uncertainty. It is shown that there exists a recursive equilibrium with the state space consisting of the past aggregate portfolio distribution and the current state of the nature and that it implements the sequential equilibrium. We establish conditions under which the recursive equilibrium is continuous. Moreover, we use the continuous recursive relation of the aggregate variables to prove that if the economy has two types of agents, the one who commits persistent mistakes on the expectation rules of the future endogenous variables is driven out of the market by the others with correct anticipations of the variables, that is, the rational expectations agents.

On the limits of cheap talk for public good provision

This article studies a model where, as a consequence of private information, agents do not have incentive to invest in a desired joint project, or a public good, when they are unable to have prior discussion with their partners. As a result, the joint project is never undertaken and inefficiency is observed. Agastya, Menezes and Sengupta (2007) prove that with a prior stage of communication, with a binary message space, it is possible to have some efficiency gain since "all ex-ante and interim efficient equilibria exhibit a simple structure". We show that any finite message space does not provide efficiency gain on the simple structure discussed in that article. We use laboratory experiments to test these results. We find that people do contribute, even without communication, and that any kind of communication increases the probability of project implementation. We also observed that communication reduces the unproductive contribution, and that a large message space cannot provide efficiency gain relative to the binary one.

A test for strong hysteresis in international trade

The article suggests a new test for strong hysteresis in international trade. The variables that capture the effects of hysteresis are based on the model of Dixit (1989) with calibrations using a state-space model to determine the parameters for each point in time. These variables are then applied to a cointegration test with breaks, where it is possible to verify whether the hysteresis effect is essential in determining the long-term equilibrium.

Taylor principle and inflation stability in emerging market countriesw

The goal of this paper is to evaluate the validity of the Taylor principle for inflation control in 12 developing countries that use inflation targeting regimes: Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Hungary, Israel, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Poland, South Africa, Thailand and Turkey. The test is based on a state-space model to determine when each country has followed the principle; then a threshold unit root test is used to verify if the stationarity of the deviation of the expected inflation from its target depends on compliance with the Taylor principle. The results show that such compliance leads to the stationarity of the deviation of the expected inflation from its target in all cases. Furthermore, in most cases, non-compliance with the Taylor principle leads to nonstationary deviation of the expected inflation.

Ensaios em econometria aplicada

This thesis has three chapters. Chapter 1 explores literature about exchange rate pass-through, approaching both empirical and theoretical issues. In Chapter 2, we formulate an estate space model for the estimation of the exchange rate pass-through of the Brazilian Real against the US Dollar, using monthly data from August 1999 to August 2008. The state space approach allows us to verify some empirical aspects presented by economic literature, such as coe cients inconstancy. The estimates o ffer evidence that the pass-through had variation over the observed sample. The state space approach is also used to test whether some of the "determinants" of pass-through are related to the exchange rate pass-through variations observed. According to our estimates, the variance of the exchange rate pass-through, monetary policy and trade ow have infuence on the exchange rate pass-through. The third and last chapter proposes the construction of a coincident and leading indicator of economic activity in the United States of America. These indicators are built using a probit state space model to incorporate the deliberations of the NBER Dating Cycles Committee regarding the state of the economy in the construction of the indexes. The estimates o ffer evidence that the NBER Committee weighs the coincident series (employees in nonagricultural payrolls, industrial production, personal income less transferences and sales) di fferently way over time and between recessions. We also had evidence that the number of employees in nonagricultural payrolls is the most important coincident series used by the NBER to de fine the periods of recession in the United States.

Estrutura a termo da taxa de juros no Brasil e previsibilidade de ciclos econômicos

O objetivo deste trabalho é caracterizar a Curva de Juros Mensal para o Brasil através de três fatores, comparando dois tipos de métodos de estimação: Através da Representação em Espaço de Estado é possível estimá-lo por dois Métodos: Filtro de Kalman e Mínimos Quadrados em Dois Passos. Os fatores têm sua dinâmica representada por um Modelo Autorregressivo Vetorial, VAR(1), e para o segundo método de estimação, atribui-se uma estrutura para a Variância Condicional. Para a comparação dos métodos empregados, propõe-se uma forma alternativa de compará-los: através de Processos de Markov que possam modelar conjuntamente o Fator de Inclinação da Curva de Juros, obtido pelos métodos empregados neste trabalho, e uma váriavel proxy para Desempenho Econômico, fornecendo alguma medida de previsão para os Ciclos Econômicos.

A taxa natural de juros no Brasil

Neste artigo, foi estimada a taxa natural de juros para a economia brasileira entre o final de 2001 e segundo trimestre de 2010 com base em dois modelos, sendo o primeiro deles o proposto por Laubach e Williams e o segundo proposto por Mesónnier e Renne, que trata de uma versão alterada do primeiro, que segundo os autores perimite uma estimação mais transparente e robusta. Em ambos os modelos, a taxa natural de juros é estimada em conjunto com o produto potencial, através de filtro de Kalman, no formato de um modelo Espaço de Estado. As estimativas provenientes dos dois modelos não apresentam diferenças relevantes, o que gera maior confiabilidade nos resultados obtidos. Para o período de maior interesse deste estudo (pós-2005), dada a existência de outras análises para período anterior, as estimativas mostram que a taxa natural de juros está em queda na economia brasileira desde 2006. A mensuração da taxa natural de juros, adicionalmente, possibilitou que fosse feita uma avaliação sobre a condução da política monetária implementada pelo Banco Central brasileiro nos últimos anos através do conceito de hiato de juros. Em linhas gerais, a análise mostrou um Banco Central mais conservador entre o final de 2001 e 2005, e mais próximo da neutralidade desde então. Esta conclusão difere da apontada por outros estudos, especialmente para o primeiro período.

Determinantes do fluxo de fundos de investimento no Brasil

Nesse trabalho, procuramos identificar fatores sistemáticos que expliquem uma variação significativa nos fluxos destinados às diversas categorias de fundos de investimento brasileiros, a partir de análises de uma amostra de dados agregados de captações e resgates nesses produtos. O estudo buscou avaliar a existência de padrões de comportamento comuns aos investidores de fundos locais através da análise da migração de fluxos entre as diversas classes de fundos. Foram inicialmente tratados os fatores não comportamentais conhecidos que impactam o fluxo dos fundos, a variável dependente. Esses fatores conhecidos foram apurados através de uma revisão dos trabalhos acadêmicos dos mercados internacional e local. Após esse tratamento foi aplicado o método de decomposição de valores singulares (SVD - Singular Value Decomposition), com o objetivo de avaliarmos os efeitos comportamentais agrupados dos investidores. A decomposição em valores singulares sugere como principais fatores comuns comportamentos de entrada e saída de fundos em massa e migrações entre as classes de fundos de menor e as de maior risco, o que Baker e Wurgler (2007) chamaram de demanda especulativa, e que, segundo esses e outros autores pesquisados, poderia ser interpretada como uma proxy do sentimento dos investidores. Guercio e Tkac (2002) e Edelen et al. (2010), encontraram em suas pesquisas evidências da diferença de comportamento entre investidores de atacado e de varejo, o que foi detectado para a classes de fundos de Renda Variável no caso do presente estudo sobre o mercado brasileiro. O entendimento das variações na tolerância a risco dos investidores de fundos de investimento pode auxiliar na oferta de produtos mais compatíveis com a demanda. Isso permitiria projetar captações para os produtos com base nas características dessa oferta, o que também desenvolvemos nessa pesquisa para o caso das categorias de fundos Multimercado e Renda variável, através de um modelo de espaço de estados com sazonalidade determinística e inicialização SVD. O modelo proposto nesse trabalho parece ter conseguido capturar, na amostra avaliada (2005-2008), um comportamento que se manteve fora da amostra (2009-2011), validando, ao menos na amostra considerada, a proposta de extração dos componentes principais agregados do comportamento dos investidores de fundos brasileiros.