We investigate the effects of S&P's sovereign re-ratings on the higher moments of equity market returns over recent financial crises. Using a set of intraday stock market index prices and sovereign credit ratings for a sample of 36 countries which experienced sovereign rating changes over the...

This paper explores the impact of market discipline on bank risk taking. We examine a broad sample of financial institutions from the G7 nations over the period 1996-2010. We apply System Generalized Method of Moments estimation to control for endogeneity and other unobserved heterogeneity in a...

This study examines the impact of cash holdings on firm value before and during the 2008 financial crisis. In answering this question, our analysis assesses the conditioning effect of financial constraints and corporate governance. In our core analysis we show that the equity market places a...

Using the most comprehensive database on Australian hedge funds, we test the performance persistence for the period July 2000 to June 2005. We employ both parametric and nonparametric approaches to identify persistence. We report evidence of short-term persistence and no evidence of long-term...

We study whether board structure (board size, independence and gender diversity) in banks relates to performance. Using a broad panel of large US bank holding companies over the period 1997–2011, we find that both board size and independent directors decrease bank performance. Although gender...

We examine the effect of consumer sentiment announcements on changes in 13 of the more common foreign exchange rates against the Australian dollar using a consumer sentiment index (CSI). Generally, we find that the CSI possesses information that influences the foreign exchange market. However,...

We study whether board structure (board size, independence and gender diversity) in banks relates to performance. Using a broad panel of large US bank holding companies over the period 1997–2011, we find that both board size and independent directors decrease bank performance. Although gender...

We examine the impact of trading costs on pairs trading profitability in the US equity market over the period 1963-2009. After controlling for commissions, market impact and short selling fees; we find that pairs trading remains profitable, albeit at much more modest levels. Specifically, we...

Employing daily data over the period 1987-2010, we examine the diversifying, hedging and safe haven properties of gold bullion, gold stocks, gold mutual funds and gold exchange traded funds (ETFs). First, with regard to gold bullion, we document a clear and strong hedging role over a mere...