We propose a novel estimation procedure of bid-ask spreads from open, high, low, and close prices. Our estimator is asymptotically unbiased and optimally combines the full set of price data to minimize the estimation variance. When quote data are not available, our estimator generally delivers...

Why do stock prices fall more sharply than dividends around recessions? One possible explanation is that stock prices fall in anticipation of low future cash flows. I find that prices and cash flows drop contemporaneously, which speaks against such a channel. Alternatively, prices drop because...