Robust Tests for Convergence Clubs

In many applications common in testing for convergence the number of cross-sectional units is large and the number of time periods are few. In these situations asymptotic tests based on an omnibus null hypothesis are characterised by a number of problems. In this paper we propose a multiple pairwise comparisons method based on an a recursive bootstrap to test for convergence with no prior information on the composition of convergence clubs. Monte Carlo simulations suggest that our bootstrap-based test performs well to correctly identify convergence clubs when compared with other similar tests that rely on asymptotic arguments. Across a potentially large number of regions, using both cross-country and regional data for the European Union we find that the size distortion which afflicts standard tests and results in a bias towards finnding less convergence, is ameliorated when we utilise our bootstrap test

Searching for the optimal level: Inflation and price variability in Turkey

This paper explores the relationship between inflation and relative price variability (RPV) in Turkey for the period 2004-2017 to shed further light on the issue with relatively recent data. For this purpose, we use monthly price data for 12 main item groups and 414 specific items thereof. Analyses show that RPV for the period of interest exhibits large fluctuations, being particularly salient in the categories of communications and food. Regarding the underlying functional form, semi-parametric estimation results indicate a U-shaped relationship between inflation and RPV, where the latter reaches its minimum at an inflation level close to 8%

The purchasing power parity hypothesis for a high inflation country: a re-examination of the case of Turkey

The long-run purchasing power parity (PPP) hypothesis is re-examined for Turkey and strong evidence on long-run PPP is provided by using standard multivariate cointegration techniques. It is argued that the refutation of PPP by Telatar and Kazdagli does not necessarily imply the failure of taking the non-linearity in real exchange rate adjustment into account, as proposed by Sarno, but it may be due to the use of univariate framework for testing PPP chosen by Telatar and Kazdagli. By using persistence profiles, half-life deviations from PPP are estimated as low as one and a half years. Since these estimates are substantially lower than those previously obtained in the literature, the analysis suggests that high inflation environment does not constitute a case for the PPP puzzle.

Price-level convergence: New evidence from U.S. cities

This paper tests the bilateral price-level convergence among 52 U.S. cities at the good level by using a new econometric approach. The estimated median half lives are far below the half lives found in the corresponding studies for the U.S.Convergence Micro-level prices PPP puzzle

Effects of credit and debit cards on the currency demand

We analyze the effects of credit and debit cards on the currency in circulation by using GMM estimation. Instead of using the data obtained by surveys, we use monthly data obtained by an interbank institution that keeps the statistics of all credit and debit cards usage of a small open economy, Turkey, for the period over 2002M1-2006M10. As expected from the theory, we find that an increase in the usage of credit and debit cards leads to a decrease in the currency demand. Moreover, the usage of the debit cards has a bigger effect on the money demand, compared to the usage of the credit cards. We also find that the effect of credit cards is mostly through purchases and the effect of debit cards is mostly through withdrawals