Financial stability, monetary autonomy and fiscal interference: Bulgaria in search of its way, 1879-1913

The Bulgarian monetary system was established, immediately after independence. Having experienced it already under Ottoman rule, newly independent Bulgaria adopted the bimetallic standard. Without being a member of the Latin Monetary Union, it tried broadly to follow the principles of the convention, yet with some exceptions, the most important of which concerned the limit on silver coinage. The absence of such a clause in Bulgaria turned out to be crucial since the financial needs of the recently established state triggered excessive silver coinage which resulted in a persistent agio - a positive and variable difference between the legal and the commercial value of silver coins. The interference of fiscal authorities obstructed the Bulgarian National Bank's ability to manage money in circulation and to secure the monetary stability required by economic development). The attempts of the Bulgarian monetary authorities to eliminate the agio were unsuccessful until they acquired the right to issue silver-backed banknotes. Soon after that, in 1906, Bulgaria introduced a short-lived typical Gold standard.financial stability, monetary autonomy, fiscal interference, Bulgaria

Factors influencing the Internationalisation of Firms: Micro Foundations of Macro Determinants

We draw on insights from the theory of the multinational enterprise (MNE) to explain outward investment and (thus) internationalisation. We claim that micro insights from the work of Stephen Hymer, Edith Penrose and other extant theories of the MNE can serve as micro foundations of some macro determinants of internationalisation. The focus on macro determinants pursues and develops an earlier critique of the theory of the MNE by Penrose; that it fails to distinguish between intra-national and inter-national expansion of firms. We propose demand-side national business cycle considerations as a Penrose-inspired answer to the Penrosean critique. Our evidence derives from USA and UK data, supports insights from Hymer, Vernon, Penrose and our response to the Penrosean challenge.Hymer, Penrose, Business Cycle, Outward Investment

FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENT, HUMAN CAPITAL AND POLITICAL STABILITY

In this paper we take a look at the empirical relationship between the level of financial development and socio-economic variables reflecting different levels of development in the light of the recent literature on the role of human capital in economic development. The empirical results, based on a cross-sectional analysis of 57 developing countries, indicate that human capital and socio-political stability are important factors explaining the level of financial development of these markets.

Modelling catastrophic risk in international equity markets: An extreme value approach

This letter uses the Block Maxima Extreme Value approach to quantify catastrophic risk in international equity markets. Risk measures are generated from a set threshold of the distribution of returns that avoids the pitfall of using absolute returns for markets exhibiting diverging levels of risk. From an application to leading markets, the letter finds that the Nikkei is more prone to catastrophic risk than the FTSE and Dow Jones Indexes.

Modelling Catastrophic Risk in International Equity Markets: An Extreme Value Approach

This letter uses the Block Maxima Extreme Value approach to quantify catastrophic risk in international equity markets. Risk measures are generated from a set threshold of the distribution of returns that avoids the pitfall of using absolute returns for markets exhibiting diverging levels of risk. From an application to leading markets, the letter finds that the Nikkei is more prone to catastrophic risk than the FTSE and Dow Jones Indexes.

Procyclicality of financial systems: is there a need to modify current accounting and regulatory rules?

Financial systems have an intrinsic tendency to exacerbate business cycle fluctuations rather than smoothing them out. The current crisis is a perfect illustration of this. Some commentators have argued that the recent reforms to international bank regulation (Basel II) and accounting rules (IAS 39) are likely to increase this intrinsic procyclicality in the future. This article examines whether this accusation is founded and what policy decisions could be envisaged to alleviate this undesirable feature of financial systems.