Wavelet variance and correlation analyses of output in G7 countries

In this paper we apply the wavelets methodology to the analysis of the industrial production index of the G-7 countries between 1961:1-2005:5. The analysis is performed using a multi-scaling approach which decomposes the variance of the industrial production index and the covariance between the industrial production indices of two countries on a scale-by-scale basis through a non-orthogonal variant of the classical discrete wavelet transform, i.e. the maximal overlap discrete wavelet transform (MODWT). Wavelet variance analysis does not provide evidence of an international patterns of moderation in output volatility, as the moderation of output volatility occurred after the early eighties is confirmed only for the Euro-area countries plus Japan. Moreover, wavelet correlation analysis different correlation patterns at the different time-scale components and, that, with some exceptions, the linkages between countries are mostly significant only at the business cycle time scales, with the strongest relationships between the Anglo countries (particularly Canada and US), France and Germany, Japan and the Euro- zone countries, with Italy displaying the closest links with France.time-scale decomposition analysis, wavelets, business cycle fluctuations

Stock market returns and economic activity: evidence from wavelet analysis

In this paper we investigate the relationship between stock market returns and economic activity by using signal decomposition techniques based on wavelet analysis. In particular, we apply the maximum overlap discrete wavelet transform (MODWT) to the DJIA stock price index and the industrial production index for US over the period 1961:1- 2005:3 and using the definitions of wavelet variance, wavelet correlation and cross-correlations analyze the association as well as the lead/lag relationship between stock prices and industrial production at the different time scales. Our results show that stock market returns tends to lead the level of economic activity but only at the highest scales (lowest frequencies), corresponding to periods of 16 months and longer, and that the periods by which stock returns lead output increase as the wavelet time scale increases.stock market, industrial production, wavelet analysis

Financial constraints and the balance sheet channel: a re-interpretation

Aggregate demand models extending IS/LM fixed price framework yield an enhancement mechanism of the traditional monetary transmission mechanism, credit channel, which, according to the credit view, works through the balance sheet channel and the bank lending channel. In this paper I modify the augmented IS/LM model assuming that investments may be financed by both internal and external sources of funds. The inclusion of internal funds in the augmented IS/LM fixed price model suggests a different interpretation of the balance sheet channel as an enhancement mechanism amplifying monetary policy effects through the quantity rather than the cost of borrowing. Thus, changes in borrowers' net worth over the cycle can amplify and propagate output fluctuations directly rather than indirectly as in the traditional interpretation of the balance sheet channel. The empirical analysis of the monetary transmission mechanism for Italy in the last decade accords with the interpretation of the balance sheet channel proposed in this paper.Financing Constraints; Credit View; Balance Sheet Channel; Impulse Response Analysis.

A Wavelet Analysis of MENA Stock Markets

In this paper we revisit the issue of integration of emerging stock markets with each other and with the developed markets over different time horizons using weekly stock indices data from June 1997 until March 2005 of the five major MENA equity markets (Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Morocco and Turkey) and applying the discrete wavelet decomposition analysis. We decompose the weekly stock market returns of the main indices of the MENA countries into different time scale components using the non-decimated discrete wavelet transform and then analyze the time- scale relationship between the stock market indices of some developed areas (SP and Eurostoxx) and those of the MENA countries. The results from wavelet correlation analysis both among MENA stock markets and between these markets and some major stock markets suggests that MENA stock markets are nor regionally nor internationally integrated.stock market returns, comovements, wavelet correlation analysis

Power Law Tails in the Italian Personal Income Distribution

We investigate the shape of the Italian personal income distribution using microdata from the Survey on Household Income and Wealth, made publicly available by the Bank of Italy for the years 1977--2002. We find that the upper tail of the distribution is consistent with a Pareto-power law type distribution, while the rest follows a two-parameter lognormal distribution. The results of our analysis show a shift of the distribution and a change of the indexes specifying it over time. As regards the first issue, we test the hypothesis that the evolution of both gross domestic product and personal income is governed by similar mechanisms, pointing to the existence of correlation between these quantities. The fluctuations of the shape of income distribution are instead quantified by establishing some links with the business cycle phases experienced by the Italian economy over the years covered by our dataset.Comment: Latex2e v1.6; 14 pages with 10 figures; preprint submitted to Physica

Trade balance and terms of trade in U.S.: a time-scale decomposition analysis

The aim of this paper is to provide evidence on the nature of the relationship between the terms of trade and the trade balance for US on a scale-by-scale basis using wavelet analysis. Thus, after decomposing the two variables into their time-scale components using to the maximum overlap discrete wavelet transform (MODWT) we analyze the time scale relationships between the terms of trade and the trade balance through the wavelet correlation analysis, and nonparametric regression models(GAMs). Wavelet correlation analysis indicates that, if the association between the trade balance and the terms of trade depends mainly on the elasticity of substitution between foreign and domestic goods, the Armington elasticities may be di¤erent across scales, and in particular, tend to get larger as the time horizon of the agents increases. Moreover, the long-run relationship between the trade balance and the terms of trade from the nonparametric …tted functions seems to provide support to the existence of the Harberger-Laursen-Metzler e¤ect .trade variables, wavelet correlation analysis, generalized additive models

Power Law Tails in the Italian Personal Income Distribution

We investigate the shape of the Italian personal income distribution using microdata from the Survey on Household Income and Wealth, made publicly available by the Bank of Italy for the years 1977-2002. We find that the upper tail of the distribution is consistent with a Pareto power-law type distribution, while the rest follows a two-parameter lognormal distribution. The results of our analysis show a shift of the distribution and a change of the indexes specifying it over time. As regards the first issue, we test the hypothesis that the evolution of both gross domestic product and personal income is governed by similar mechanisms, pointing to the existence of correlation between these quantities. The fluctuations of the shape of income distribution are instead quantified by establishing some links with the business cycle phases experienced by the Italian economy over the years covered by our dataset.Personal income; Pareto law; Lognormal distribution; Income growth rate; Business cycle

Business fluctuations in a behavioral switching model: Gridlock effects and credit crunch phenomena in financial networks

In this paper we characterize the evolution over time of a credit network in the most general terms as a system of interacting banks and firms operating in a three-sector economy with goods, credit and interbank market. Credit connections change over time via an evolving fitness measure depending from lenders’ supply of liquidity and borrowers’ demand of credit. Moreover, an endogenous learning mechanism allows agents to switch between a loyal or a shopping-around strategy according to their degree of satisfaction. The crucial question we investigate is how financial bubbles and credit-crunch phenomena emerge from the implemented mechanism