Enhanced machine learning methods provide an encouraging alternative to forecast asset prices by extending or generalizing the possible model specifications compared to conventional linear regression methods. Even if enhanced methods of machine learning in the literature often lead to better...

Die Dissertation „Risk Assessment of Covered Bonds in the International Secondary Market – An Empirical Analysis” beschäftigt sich mit der Risikobewertung von Covered Bonds im internationalen Sekundärmarkt. Covered Bonds sind verzinsliche Wertpapiere, die von Finanzinstituten emittiert...

We show analytically under quite general conditions that implied rates of return based on analysts' earnings forecasts are only a downward biased estimator for future expected one-period returns and therefore not suited for computing market risk premia. The extent of this bias is substantial as...

The most relevant practical impediment to an application of the Markowitz portfolio selection approach is the problem of estimating return moments, in particular return expectations. We analyze the consequences of using return estimates implied by analysts' dividend forecasts under the explicit...

CAT bonds are important instruments for the insurance of catastrophe risk. Due to a low degree of deal standardization, there is uncertainty about the determination of the CAT bond premium. In addition, it is not apparent how CAT bonds react after the financial crisis or a natural catastrophe....

Two factors have proven to be strongly relevant for the subprime mortgage crisis. The first is the lack of screening incentives of originators, which had not been anticipated by investors. The second is that investors relied too much on credit ratings. We examine whether investors have learned...