In South Africa various financial institutions and independent vendors have developed residential property valuation models to estimate the current value of historically traded properties. A natural extension to these models has been to develop historical property price indices. In this dissertation, three of the four approaches to developing property price indices will be examined. Through back–testing and other statistical methods, the most accurate and robust approach will be determined. The four major approaches available are the mean valuation per suburb, the median valuation per suburb, the repeat sales approach and hedonic regression. The mean valuation per suburb approach can be biased because of outliers in property prices. However, outliers in property prices will not influence the median valuation per suburb approach, but in cases where property values in a suburb have a skewed distribution, the valuation amount could be distorted. Neither of the above mentioned shortcomings influences the repeat sales or the hedonic regression approach. To follow the hedonic regression approach, the characteristics of the property need to be known. In South Africa, however, the available property data lacks detailed characteristics of traded properties. This dissertation will therefore focus on the first three methods. The repeat sales approach measures the growth in property prices by applying a generalized linear model to properties that have traded more than once. This approach is only possible if there is a representative amount of repeat sales able to fit a model. The focus of this project will be on the repeat sales approach, but all three the approaches discussed will be analysed to prove that the repeat sales approach is the most accurate in developing a property price index for properties in South Africa. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Risk Analysis))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

This thesis explores whether scanner data can be used to inform Consumer Price Index (CPI) construction, with particular reference to the issues of substitution bias and choice of aggregation dimensions. The potential costs and benefits of using scanner data are reviewed. Existing estimates of substitution bias are found to show considerable variation. An Australian scanner data set is used to estimate substitution bias for six different aggregation methods and for fixed base and superlative indexes. Direct and chained indexes are also calculated. Estimates of substitution bias are found to be highly sensitive to both the method of aggregation used and whether direct or chained indexes were used. The ILO (2004) recommends the use of dissimilarity indexes to determine the issue of when to chain. This thesis provides the first empirical study of dissimilarity indexes in this context. The results indicate that dissimilarity indexes may not be sufficient to resolve the issue. A Constant Elasticity of Substitution (CES) index provides an approximate estimate of substitution-bias-free price change, without the need for current period expenditure weights. However, an elasticity parameter is needed. Two methods, referred to as the algebraic and econometric methods, were used to estimate the elasticity parameter. The econometric approach involved the estimation of a system of equations proposed by Diewert (2002a). This system has not been estimated previously. The results show a relatively high level of substitution at the elementary aggregate level, which supports the use a Jevons index, rather than Carli or Dutot indexes, at this level. Elasticity parameter estimates were found to vary considerably across time, and statistical testing showed that elasticity parameter estimates were significantly different across estimation methods. Aggregation is an extremely important issue in the compilation of the CPI. However, little information exists about 'appropriate' aggregation methods. Aggregation is typically recommended over 'homogenous' units. An hedonic framework is used to test for item homogeneity across four supermarket chains and across all stores within each chain. This is a novel approach. The results show that treating the same good as homogenous across stores which belong to the same chain may be recommended.

過去實證研究多以時間序列模型搭配 GARCH 模型針對台灣股價指數進行分析。然而，Gourieroux and Zakoian(2017) 提出，當一時間序列具有泡沫現象時，noncausal Cauchy AR(1) process 是可能的優選模型。此外，Sarno and Taylor(1999) 的研究認為，台灣股價指數具有泡沫現象，故我們以 noncausal Cauchy AR(1) with Gaussian component 分析台灣股價指數，進而判斷其泡沫效果係來自 noncausal linear process 之 local explosive，並根據 noncausal Cauchy AR(1) 與 Gaussian component 之係數變動，捕捉泡沫效果之形成與來源。 / Most of the previous studies focused on analyzing Taiwan Stock Price Index using time series models with GARCH effects. However, Gourieroux and Zakoian (2017) have demonstrated that noncausal Cauchy AR(1) process may be a possible model in which the bubbles are observed. Besides, according to the studies of Sarno and Taylor (1991), some bubbles exactly existed in Taiwan Stock Price Index before 1990. Accordingly, this study aims at investigating the possible bubbles in Taiwan Stock Price Index from 2005 to 2015 by employing noncausal Cauchy AR(1) with Gaussian component method. As a result, we find out he bubbles which modeled by the noncausal linear process are local explosive. And based on the changes of the coefficients from noncausal Cauchy AR(1) and Gaussian component, this study successfully captures the form of bubbles.

This study investigated the impact of import prices on inflation in Namibia, using quarterly time series data over the period 1998Q2-2017Q4. The variables used in the study are inflation rate, M2, real GDP and import prices. The study found that all the variables are integrated of order one (1), and upon testing for cointegration using Johansen test, there was no cointegration. Therefore, the model was analysed using ordinary least squares (OLS) techniques of vector autoregression (VAR) approach, granger causality test and the impulse response function. The results of the study revealed that import prices granger causes inflation at 1% level of significance. Inflation is also granger caused by real GDP and broad money supply (M2) does not Granger cause inflation. The study further revealed that the shocks to import prices are significant in explaining variation in inflation both in the short run and in the long term. / Economics / M. Com. (Economics)

The current method for house valuations in mortgage portfolio models corresponds to applying a residential property price index (RPPI) to the purchasing price (or last known valuation). This thesis introduces an alternative house valuation method, which combines the current one with the bank's customer data. This approach shows that the gap between the actual house value and the current estimated house value can to some extent be explained by customer attributes, especially for houses where the homeowner is a defaulted customer. The inclusion of customer attributes can either reduce false overestimation or predict whether or not the current valuation is an overestimation or underestimation. This particular property is of interest in credit risk, as false overestimations can have negative impacts on the mortgage portfolio. The statistical methods that were used in this thesis were the data mining techniques regression and clustering. / De modeller och tillvägagångssätt som i dagsläget används för husvärdering i bolåneportföljen bygger på husprisindexering och köpesskilling. Denna studie introducerar ett alternativt sätt att uppskattta husvärdet, genom att kombinera dagens metod med bankens egna kunddata. Det här tillvägagångssättet visar på att gapet mellan det faktiska och det uppskattade husvärdet kan i viss mån förklaras av kunddata, framförallt där husägaren är en fallerad kund. Inkluderandet av kunddata kan både minska dagens övervärdering samt predicera huruvida dagens uppskattning är en övervärdering eller undervärdering. För fallerade kunder gav den alternativa husvärderingen ett mer sanningsenligt uppskattat värde av försäljningspriset än den traditionella metoden. Denna egenskap är av intresse inom kreditrisk, då en falsk övervärdering kan ha negativa konsekvenser på bolåneportföljen, framförallt för fallerade kunder. De statistiska verktyg som användes i denna studie var diverse regressionsmetoder samt klusteranalys.

A importância de se considerar os volumes na análise dos movimentos de preços de ações pode ser considerada uma prática bastante aceita na área financeira. No entanto, quando se olha para a produção científica realizada neste campo, ainda não é possível encontrar um modelo unificado que inclua os volumes e as variações de preços para fins de análise de preços de ações. Neste trabalho é apresentado um modelo computacional que pode preencher esta lacuna, propondo um novo índice para analisar o preço das ações com base em seus históricos de preços e volumes negociados. O objetivo do modelo é o de estimar as atuais proporções do volume total de papéis negociados no mercado de uma ação (free float) distribuídos de acordo com os seus respectivos preços passados de compra. Para atingir esse objetivo, foi feito uso da modelagem dinâmica financeira aplicada a dados reais da bolsa de valores de São Paulo (Bovespa) e também a dados simulados por meio de um modelo de livro de ordens (order book). O valor do índice varia de acordo com a diferença entre a atual porcentagem do total de papéis existentes no mercado que foram comprados no passado a um preço maior do que o preço atual da ação e a sua respectiva contrapartida, que seria a atual porcentagem de papéis existentes no mercado que foram comprados no passado a um preço menor do que o preço atual da ação. Apesar de o modelo poder ser considerado matematicamente bastante simples, o mesmo foi capaz de melhorar significativamente a performance financeira de agentes operando com dados do mercado real e com dados simulados, o que contribui para demonstrar a sua racionalidade e a sua aplicabilidade. Baseados nos resultados obtidos, e também na lógica bastante intuitiva que está por trás deste modelo, acredita-se que o índice aqui proposto pode ser bastante útil na tarefa de ajudar os investidores a definir intervalos ideais para compra e venda de ações no mercado financeiro. / The importance of considering the volumes to analyze stock prices movements can be considered as a well-accepted practice in the financial area. However, when we look at the scientific production in this field, we still cannot find a unified model that includes volume and price variations for stock prices assessment purposes. In this paper we present a computer model that could fulfill this gap, proposing a new index to evaluate stock prices based on their historical prices and volumes traded. The aim of the model is to estimate the current proportions of the total volume of shares available in the market from a stock distributed according with their respective prices traded in the past. In order to do so, we made use of dynamic financial modeling and applied it to real financial data from the Sao Paulo Stock Exchange (Bovespa) and also to simulated data which was generated trough an order book model. The value of our index varies based on the difference between the current proportion of shares traded in the past for a price above the current price of the stock and its respective counterpart, which would be the proportion of shares traded in the past for a price below the current price of the stock. Besides the model can be considered mathematically very simple, it was able to improve significantly the financial performance of agents operating with real market data and with simulated data, which contributes to demonstrate its rationale and its applicability. Based on the results obtained, and also on the very intuitive logic of our model, we believe that the index proposed here can be very useful to help investors on the activity of determining ideal price ranges for buying and selling stocks in the financial market.

A importância de se considerar os volumes na análise dos movimentos de preços de ações pode ser considerada uma prática bastante aceita na área financeira. No entanto, quando se olha para a produção científica realizada neste campo, ainda não é possível encontrar um modelo unificado que inclua os volumes e as variações de preços para fins de análise de preços de ações. Neste trabalho é apresentado um modelo computacional que pode preencher esta lacuna, propondo um novo índice para analisar o preço das ações com base em seus históricos de preços e volumes negociados. O objetivo do modelo é o de estimar as atuais proporções do volume total de papéis negociados no mercado de uma ação (free float) distribuídos de acordo com os seus respectivos preços passados de compra. Para atingir esse objetivo, foi feito uso da modelagem dinâmica financeira aplicada a dados reais da bolsa de valores de São Paulo (Bovespa) e também a dados simulados por meio de um modelo de livro de ordens (order book). O valor do índice varia de acordo com a diferença entre a atual porcentagem do total de papéis existentes no mercado que foram comprados no passado a um preço maior do que o preço atual da ação e a sua respectiva contrapartida, que seria a atual porcentagem de papéis existentes no mercado que foram comprados no passado a um preço menor do que o preço atual da ação. Apesar de o modelo poder ser considerado matematicamente bastante simples, o mesmo foi capaz de melhorar significativamente a performance financeira de agentes operando com dados do mercado real e com dados simulados, o que contribui para demonstrar a sua racionalidade e a sua aplicabilidade. Baseados nos resultados obtidos, e também na lógica bastante intuitiva que está por trás deste modelo, acredita-se que o índice aqui proposto pode ser bastante útil na tarefa de ajudar os investidores a definir intervalos ideais para compra e venda de ações no mercado financeiro. / The importance of considering the volumes to analyze stock prices movements can be considered as a well-accepted practice in the financial area. However, when we look at the scientific production in this field, we still cannot find a unified model that includes volume and price variations for stock prices assessment purposes. In this paper we present a computer model that could fulfill this gap, proposing a new index to evaluate stock prices based on their historical prices and volumes traded. The aim of the model is to estimate the current proportions of the total volume of shares available in the market from a stock distributed according with their respective prices traded in the past. In order to do so, we made use of dynamic financial modeling and applied it to real financial data from the Sao Paulo Stock Exchange (Bovespa) and also to simulated data which was generated trough an order book model. The value of our index varies based on the difference between the current proportion of shares traded in the past for a price above the current price of the stock and its respective counterpart, which would be the proportion of shares traded in the past for a price below the current price of the stock. Besides the model can be considered mathematically very simple, it was able to improve significantly the financial performance of agents operating with real market data and with simulated data, which contributes to demonstrate its rationale and its applicability. Based on the results obtained, and also on the very intuitive logic of our model, we believe that the index proposed here can be very useful to help investors on the activity of determining ideal price ranges for buying and selling stocks in the financial market.

Abstract of thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Commerce and Management Dynamics of macroeconomic variables in Fiji : a cointegrated VAR analysis By Shiu Raj Singh The objective of this study is to examine how macroeconomic variables of Fiji inter-relate with aggregate demand and co-determine one another using a vector autoregression (VAR) approach. This study did not use a prior theoretical framework but instead used economic justification for selection of variables. It was found that fiscal policy, which is generally used as a stabilisation tool, did not have a positive effect on real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in the short term. Effects on GDP growth were positive over the long term but not statistically significant. Furthermore, expansionary fiscal policy caused inflationary pressures. Fiji has a fixed exchange rate regime, therefore, it was expected that the focus of monetary policy would be the maintenance of foreign reserves. It was, however, found that monetary expansion in the short term resulted in positive effects on real GDP growth and resulted in inflation. The long term effects of monetary policy on real GDP growth were negative, which are explained by the fixed exchange rate regime, endogenous determination of money supply by the central bank, an unsophisticated financial market and, perhaps, an incomplete transmission of the policy. Both merchandise trade and visitor arrivals growth were found to positively contribute to short term and long term economic growth. Political instability was found not to have significant direct effects on real GDP growth but caused a significant decline in visitor arrivals which then negatively affected economic growth in the short term.

不景氣的年代，民間企業裁員、減薪或強迫員工休無薪假的事件層出不窮，襯托出公職相對起薪高、福利制度健全，任職免職程序有政府法令保障。在公職逐漸被當前的社會氛圍視為是兼具地位及幸福的工作時，愈來愈多的民眾競相投入公務人員的考試，而競相爭捧鐵飯碗的現象，也成為近期媒體報導的新聞焦點。 惟前述種種的論述都仍停留在主觀的聯想及推論上，國內鮮少針對經濟變數與公務人員考試錄取率間之關係，建立統計實證模型進行客觀量化分析。基於這樣的時空背景及社會氛圍，本研究遂以客觀的高普考錄取率表示公務人員考試競爭程度，觀察經濟環境變數對其造成的影響，是否誠如媒體所言，當景氣愈差時，公職考試就愈熱門的現象。 經過實證模型分析後，發現影響經濟變數對高考錄取率較普考錄取率變動數的影響較為顯著，包括：當期或前期的高考薪資占民間薪資比、當期或前期的失業率、前期臺股指數變動數、當期或前期臺股指數標準離差率以及時間趨勢等解釋變數，並且各自存在不同程度的影響及合理的正負關係。而普考錄取率變動數部分，僅受當期普考薪資占民間薪資比、前期失業率及時間趨勢等變數所影響。 本文最後，提出針對可能影響民眾報考公務人員的重要因素，提出相應政策建議，以期抒緩公職考試過熱的現象並精進政府政策。 / Recession-era, layoffs, pay cuting, and forcing employees to take unpaid leave are more and more in private sector, highlight the work of public sector is high starting salary, benefits sound system, and having protection by law in appointment and dismissal. More people want to participate in civil service examination, then civil service examination craze has become the focus of recent news. Provided the foregoing various opinions are still subjective conjecture, almost no study about relationship between economic variables and the qualification rates of civil service examination in domestic studies. In this context, this study used a senior and junior civil service examination qualification rates to represent the competitive of civil service examination, and to observe the effects of economic variables on the qualification rates of civil service examination, if consistent with the media reports, the worse economy is, the less qualification rates of civil service examination will be. After empirical model analysis, we found that the effects of economic variables on the qualification rates of senior civil service examination are more significant than the changes of the qualification rates of junior civil service examination. Finally, make recommendations to relief civil service examination craze.

Submitted by Simone Jager (si_jager@hotmail.com) on 2014-02-10T15:30:57Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Simone Jager 2014.pdf: 764649 bytes, checksum: 100e29a7572ff1d6c57a770ace28e1bf (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Vitor Souza (vitor.souza@fgv.br) on 2014-02-24T21:08:40Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Simone Jager 2014.pdf: 764649 bytes, checksum: 100e29a7572ff1d6c57a770ace28e1bf (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-20T13:15:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Simone Jager 2014.pdf: 764649 bytes, checksum: 100e29a7572ff1d6c57a770ace28e1bf (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-01-23 / This paper compares time series models to forecast short-term Brazilian inflation measured by Consumer Price Index (IPCA). Were considered SARIMA Box-Jenkins models and structural models in state space, as estimated by the Kalman filter. For estimation of the models, the series of IPCA monthly basis from March 2003 to March 2012 was used. The SARIMA models were estimated in EVIEWS and structural models in STAMP. For the validation of the models out of sample forecasts were considered one step ahead for the period April 2012 to March 2013, based on the main criteria for assessing predictive ability proposed in the literature. The conclusion of the study is that, although the structural model allows, to decompose the series into components with direct interpretation and study them separately, while incorporating explanatory variables in a simple way, the performance of the SARIMA model to predict Brazilian inflation was higher in the period and horizon considered. Another important positive aspect is that the implementation of a SARIMA model is ready, and predictions from it are obtained in a simple and direct way. / Este trabalho compara modelos de séries temporais para a projeção de curto prazo da inflação brasileira, medida pelo Índice de Preços ao Consumidor Amplo (IPCA). Foram considerados modelos SARIMA de Box e Jenkins e modelos estruturais em espaço de estados, estimados pelo filtro de Kalman. Para a estimação dos modelos, foi utilizada a série do IPCA na base mensal, de março de 2003 a março de 2012. Os modelos SARIMA foram estimados no EVIEWS e os modelos estruturais no STAMP. Para a validação dos modelos para fora da amostra, foram consideradas as previsões 1 passo à frente para o período de abril de 2012 a março de 2013, tomando como base os principais critérios de avaliação de capacidade preditiva propostos na literatura. A conclusão do trabalho é que, embora o modelo estrutural permita, decompor a série em componentes com interpretação direta e estudá-las separadamente, além de incorporar variáveis explicativas de forma simples, o desempenho do modelo SARIMA para prever a inflação brasileira foi superior, no período e horizonte considerados. Outro importante aspecto positivo é que a implementação de um modelo SARIMA é imediata, e previsões a partir dele são obtidas de forma simples e direta.