This paper investigates three techniques for the estimation of conditional timeâ€dependent betas: (a) a multivariate generalised ARCH approach; (b) a timeâ€varying beta market model approach suggested by Schwert and Seguin (1990); and (c) the Kalman filter technique. These approaches are...

In this paper we examine the extent to which derivatives are used to affect the risk-shifting behaviour of Australian equity fund managers. We find, after periods of good and poor performance, the risk-shifting behaviour of fund managers is different between derivative users and non-users. Our...

This paper applies an asymptotic principal components technique, developed by Connor and Korajczyk (1988), to test an equilibrium version of the Arbitrage Pricing Theory (APT), which permits time varying risk premia, using Australian equity data. Cross-equation restrictions imposed by the APT on...

Recent studies find evidence that small funds outperform large funds. This fund size effect is commonly hypothesized to be caused by transaction costs. Due to the lack of transactions data, prior studies have investigated the transaction costs theory indirectly. Our study, however, analyses the...

The empirical evidence documenting the association between a firm's level of corporate social performance (CSP) and corporate financial performance (CFP) remains divided. This paper reinvestigates the CSP/CFP association using a more rigorous methodology whilst taking advantage of a superior...

Using an extensive Australian sample, we explore two related issues in the context of a default risk asset-pricing factor (DEF) over the business cycle: (a) whether a DEF can explain the size premium in the three-factor Fama–French (FF) model; and (b) whether a DEF has a separate role...

With the aid of an online survey, the purpose of this study is to examine financial preferences; social, environmental and ethical concerns; and socio-demographic characteristics of Australian socially responsible (SR) investors. The study advances knowledge of SR investors’ profiles and...

We apply a new methodology, modified Granger causality tests, to further analyze the information flows between earnings and forecasts. Our application focuses on the dynamic interaction between reported earnings and analysts’ forecasts. Based on long time series of analyst earnings...

This paper investigates the determinants of credit spreads (levels and changes) via credit derivatives, using an Australian sample. We incorporate a number of different relationships to assess the contributions of various market-wide and firm-specific factors in determining levels, and changes...

In this study, we apply the Longstaff and Schwartz (1992) two-factor term structure model to real yields across eight countries. As such, we improve on many prior studies that have inappropriately tested this formulation using nominal yield data. We use the generalized method of moments to test...