Real Options under Choquet-Brownian Ambiguitys

Real options models characterized by the presence of “ambiguity” (or “Knightian uncertainty”) have been recently proposed. But based on recursive multiple-priors preferences, they typically describe ambiguity through a range of Geometric Brownian motions and solve it by application of a maxmin expected utility criterion among them (worst case). This reduces acceptable individual preferences to the single case of an extreme form of pessimism. In contrast, by relying on dynamically consistent “Choquet-Brownian” motions to represent the ambiguous cash flows expected from a project, we show that a much broader spectrum of attitudes towards ambiguity may be accounted for, improving the explanatory and application potentials of these appealing expanded real options models. In the case of a perpetual real option to invest, ambiguity aversion may delay the moment of exercise of the option, while the opposite holds true for an ambiguity seeking decision maker. Furthermore, an intricate relationship between risk and ambiguity appears strikingly in our model.

Real Options under Choquet-Brownian Ambiguity

Real options models characterized by the presence of ambiguity have been recently proposed. But based on recursive multiple-priors approaches to solve ambiguity, these seminal models reduce individual preferences to extreme pessimism by considering only the worst case scenario. In contrast, by relying on dynamically consistent Choquet-Brownian motions to model the dynamics of ambiguous expected cash flows, we show that a much broader spectrum of attitudes towards ambiguity may be accounted for. In the case of a perpetual real option to invest, ambiguity aversion delays the moment of exercise of the option, while the opposite holds true for an ambiguity lover.Real Options; Ambiguity; Irreversible investment; Optimal stopping; Knightian uncertainty; Choquet-Brownian motions

Real Options under Choquet-Brownian Ambiguity

Real options models characterized by the presence of ambiguity have been recently proposed. But based on recursive multiple-priors approaches to solve ambiguity, these seminal models reduce individual preferences to extreme pessimism by considering only the worst case scenario. In contrast, by relying on dynamically consistent Choquet-Brownian motions to model the dynamics of ambiguous expected cash flows, we show that a much broader spectrum of attitudes towards ambiguity may be accounted for. In the case of a perpetual real option to invest, ambiguity aversion delays the moment of exercise of the option, while the opposite holds true for an ambiguity lover

Development, A question of Opportunity. A critique of the 2006 World Development Report, Equity and Development

The World Bank’s World Development Report 2006 addresses Equity and Development. It defines equity as respect for equal opportunities combined with the avoidance of absolute deprivation. Even though justice theories have long been interested in equity (given that equality of opportunity is one of the recognised values of Western society), it has hitherto remained a marginal issue in development economics. Our critique presents a detailed analysis of this report in the light of recent economic studies on this subject and endeavours to place it in the context of the evolution of World Bank thinking and policies. The first part illustrates the wealth of this concept, with its downside being that it is hard to accurately define. The second part demonstrates the gap between the prospects opened up by the enlargement of the development goals beyond poverty reduction and the report’s policy recommendations, which are generally an extension of the World Bank’s traditional analyses. The future of the equity concept for development policy-making could be closely dependent on the development community’s ability to take on board both all its complexity and wealth.

Financial Development, Economic Growth, and Electricity Demand: A Sector Analysis of an Emerging Economy

We employ an augmented production function to examine the association between electricity consumption and economic growth at the aggregate and sectoral levels for the period 1972-2014 for Pakistan. We posit that financial development is an important driver of electricity consumption and economic growth. The unit root test, combined cointegration framework, and VECM Granger causality approach are applied. There is a long-term association between the variables at the aggregate and sectoral levels. Electricity consumption and financial development stimulate economic growth. The causality analysis validates the presence of the feedback effect between economic growth and electricity consumption. Bidirectional causality exists between financial development and electricity consumption in the agriculture and services sectors. Financial development drives electricity consumption in the industrial sector. Policies have to be implemented to maintain sufficient electricity supply for economic growth. The financial sector should incentivize investment in renewable energy to reduce Pakistan’s heavy reliance on oil imports

Financial Development, Economic Growth, and Electricity Demand: A Sector Analysis of an Emerging Economy

We employ an augmented production function to examine the association between electricity consumption and economic growth at the aggregate and sectoral levels for the period 1972-2014 for Pakistan. We posit that financial development is an important driver of electricity consumption and economic growth. The unit root test, combined cointegration framework, and VECM Granger causality approach are applied. There is a long-term association between the variables at the aggregate and sectoral levels. Electricity consumption and financial development stimulate economic growth. The causality analysis validates the presence of the feedback effect between economic growth and electricity consumption. Bidirectional causality exists between financial development and electricity consumption in the agriculture and services sectors. Financial development drives electricity consumption in the industrial sector. Policies have to be implemented to maintain sufficient electricity supply for economic growth. The financial sector should incentivize investment in renewable energy to reduce Pakistan’s heavy reliance on oil imports

Risk aversion and Bitcoin returns in extreme quantiles

We study whether level of risk aversion can be used to predict Bitcoin returns using copulas and quantile-based models. We find evidence of predictability when the market return is at extreme quantiles. Further analyses show that the cross-quantilogram is similar when risk aversion is at the low or medium level for various quantiles of Bitcoin returns. The predictability is positive when the risk aversion is at very low level. However, predictability becomes negative when both the risk aversion and Bitcoin returns are very high, suggesting that when risk aversion and Bitcoin returns are at very high levels, Bitcoin is less likely to have large gains

Risk aversion and Bitcoin returns in extreme quantiles

We study whether level of risk aversion can be used to predict Bitcoin returns using copulas and quantile-based models. We find evidence of predictability when the market return is at extreme quantiles. Further analyses show that the cross-quantilogram is similar when risk aversion is at the low or medium level for various quantiles of Bitcoin returns. The predictability is positive when the risk aversion is at very low level. However, predictability becomes negative when both the risk aversion and Bitcoin returns are very high, suggesting that when risk aversion and Bitcoin returns are at very high levels, Bitcoin is less likely to have large gains.http://www.accessecon.com/pubs/eb/default.aspx?am2022Economic