published_or_final_version / abstract / Electrical and Electronic Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy

I investigate the effect of shareholder rights and information asymmetry on option-related repurchase activity. Prior research shows that the dilution effect of the exercise of the employee stock options on earnings per share (EPS) decreases the value of stock options. Thus, managers tend to use stock repurchases rather than dividends to return cash to shareholders (the dividend substitution effect). I document that the executive stock option incentives to repurchase stock as a substitute for dividends are stronger when firms have weak shareholder rights and the level of information asymmetry positively influences managerial stock option incentives to repurchase stock. Furthermore, prior research indicates that information asymmetry is positively associated with stock repurchases. I also provide evidence indicating that the relationship between information asymmetry and stock repurchases is stronger when firms have weaker shareholder rights. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2015. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

The main objective of this thesis is to simulate, evaluate and discuss three standard methodologies of calculating Value-at-Risk (VaR) : Historical simulation, the Variance-covariance method and Monte Carlo simulations. Historical simulation is the most common nonparametric method. The Variance-covariance and Monte Carlo simulations are widely used parametric methods. This thesis defines the three aforementioned VaR methodologies, and uses each to calculate 1-day VaR for a hypothetical portfolio through MATLAB simulations. The evaluation of the results shows that historical simulation yields the most reliable 1-day VaR for the hypothetical portfolio under extreme market conditions. Finally, this paper concludes with a suggestion for further studies : a heavy-tail distribution should be used in order to imporve the accuracy of the results for the two parametric methods used in this study. / by Kyong Chung. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2012. / Includes bibliography. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / System requirements: Adobe Reader.

The main objective of this thesis is to simulate, evaluate and discuss several methods for pricing European-style options. The Black-Scholes model has long been considered the standard method for pricing options. One of the downfalls of the Black-Scholes model is that it is strictly continuous and does not incorporate discrete jumps. This thesis will consider two alternate Levy models that include discretized jumps; The Merton Jump Diffusion and Kou's Double Exponential Jump Diffusion. We will use each of the three models to price real world stock data through software simulations and explore the results.Keywords: Levy Processes, Brownian motion, Option pricing, Simulation, Black-Scholes, Merton Jump Diffusion, Kou, Kou's Double Exponential Jump Diffusion. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2013.

by Lee King Pak. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 141-144). / LIST OF TABLES / LIST OF FIGURES / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Aim of Study --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2 --- Scope of Study --- p.7 / Chapter 1.3 --- Organization of the Thesis --- p.8 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE --- p.10 / Chapter 2.1 --- Short-Run and Long-Run Demand for Electricity --- p.10 / Chapter 2.2 --- Decreasing Block Pricing --- p.20 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- THE ELECTRIC POWER INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG --- p.38 / Chapter 3.1 --- The Growth of Electricity Consumption --- p.38 / Chapter 3.2 --- The Two Electricity Suppliers --- p.39 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- PREVIOUS STUDIES ON DEMAND FOR ELECTRICITY IN HONG KONG --- p.52 / Chapter 4.1 --- Studies using Aggregate-Level Data --- p.52 / Chapter 4.2 --- Studies using Micro-Level Data --- p.60 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- HOUSEHOLD DEMAND FOR ELECTRICITY --- p.65 / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.65 / Chapter 5.2 --- Methodology --- p.66 / Chapter 5.3 --- Data --- p.74 / Chapter 5.4 --- Results and Analysis --- p.77 / Chapter 5.5 --- Conclusion --- p.88 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- AGGREGATE DEMAND FOR ELECTRICITY --- p.100 / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.100 / Chapter 6.2 --- Methodology --- p.101 / Chapter 6.3 --- Data --- p.108 / Chapter 6.4 --- Results and Analysis --- p.112 / Chapter 6.5 --- Conclusion --- p.122 / Chapter CHAPTER 7 --- CONCLUSION --- p.134 / Chapter 7.1 --- Summary and Discussions --- p.134 / Chapter 7.2 --- Suggestions for Further Studies --- p.139 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.141 / APPENDICES --- p.145 / Chapter A. 1 --- The Use of Average Price in Demand Equation --- p.145 / Chapter A.2 --- Residential Price Schedules --- p.147

by Lau Yin Ling. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 82-88). / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.i / LIST OF TABLES --- p.ii / ABSTRACT --- p.iii / ACKNOWLEDGMENTS --- p.iv / CHAPTER / Chapter I. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter II. --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.5 / Chapter 2.1 --- CONCEPT OF ABSOLUTE POVERTY --- p.6 / Chapter 2.2 --- CONCEPT OF RELATIVE POVERTY --- p.12 / Chapter 2.3 --- CONCEPT OF SUBJECTIVE POVERTY --- p.16 / Chapter 2.4 --- STUDIES OF POVERTY IN HONG KONG --- p.18 / Chapter III. --- THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK --- p.21 / Chapter 3.1 --- CONCEPTUAL ISSUES --- p.21 / Chapter 3.2 --- THE MODEL --- p.23 / Chapter IV. --- THE DATA --- p.32 / Chapter 4.1 --- SAMPLING METHODS --- p.32 / Chapter 4.2 --- GENERAL EXPENDITURE PATTERNS FROM THE 1989/90HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY --- p.35 / Chapter V. --- THE EXTENT OF POVERTY IN HONG KONG --- p.47 / Chapter 5.1 --- SPECIFICATION OF THE MODEL --- p.47 / Chapter 5.2 --- EMPIRICAL RESULTS --- p.52 / Chapter VI. --- THE ABSOLUTE POVERTY PROFILE IN HONG KONG --- p.60 / Chapter 6.1 --- HOUSEHOLD SIZE AND POVERTY --- p.61 / Chapter 6.2 --- HOUSEHOLD CHARACTERISTICS AND POVERTY --- p.62 / Chapter 6.3 --- TYPE OF HOUSING AND POVERTY --- p.64 / Chapter VII. --- CONCLUDING REMARKS AND RECOMMENDATIONS --- p.72 / APPENDIX --- p.75 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.82

Fung Shuk Wai Freda. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 70-75). / ABSTRACT --- p.i / ACKNOWLEDGMENT --- p.ii / Chapter Chapter 1. --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Review of Poverty in China --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Anti-poverty Campaign and Incidence of Poverty after1978 --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Distribution of the Poor --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2 --- Background Information of Guangdong --- p.11 / Chapter Chapter 2. --- Literature Review --- p.14 / Chapter 2.1 --- Previous Studies of Poverty Measurement in China --- p.14 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- The Official Estimates of Poverty --- p.14 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- The Unofficial Poverty Line Estimated by SSB --- p.17 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- The World Bank Poverty Line --- p.21 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Other Studies of Poverty Line --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2 --- Conceptual Approaches on Appraising Well Being --- p.23 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Welfarist Approach --- p.23 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Non-Welfarist Approach --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Relative Merits of Welfarist and Non-welfarist Perspectives --- p.24 / Chapter 2.3 --- The Concept of Poverty --- p.25 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Absolute Concept of Poverty --- p.25 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Relative Concept of Poverty --- p.27 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Subjective Concept of Poverty --- p.28 / Chapter 2.4 --- Unit of Analysis and Equivalence Scales --- p.29 / Chapter 2.5 --- The Measurement of Poverty --- p.30 / Chapter 2.5.1 --- Headcount Ratio --- p.31 / Chapter 2.5.2 --- Foster-Greer-Thorbecke Index --- p.32 / Chapter Chapter 3. --- Method and Estimation Results of Equivalence Scales --- p.34 / Chapter 3.1 --- Analytical Framework --- p.34 / Chapter 3.2 --- Specification of the Demand System and Equivalence Scale --- p.38 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Specification and Estimation of the Translog Model --- p.39 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Estimation Results of the Demand System and Equivalence Scales --- p.43 / Chapter 3.2.2.1 --- Commodity Specific Equivalence Scales --- p.46 / Chapter 3.2.2.2 --- General Household Equivalence Scales --- p.48 / Chapter Chapter 4. --- Estimation of Poverty Line and Extent of Poverty --- p.52 / Chapter 4.1 --- The Estimation of Poverty Line --- p.52 / Chapter 4.2 --- The Extent of Poverty --- p.53 / Chapter 4.3 --- Sensitivity Analysis --- p.55 / Chapter Chapter 5. --- Concluding Remarks --- p.66 / REFERENCES --- p.70 / APPENDIXES / Appendix I: The Data Set --- p.77 / Appendix II: Details of Teqiong Xian and Fajian Xian Estimated by the SSB --- p.81 / Appendix III: Using Different Reference Household for the Estimation of the Extent of Poverty --- p.82

本文由三篇文章構成。首篇是關於多維變或然分佈預測的檢驗。第三篇是關於非貝斯結構性轉變的VAR 模型。或然分佈預測的檢驗是基於檢驗PIT(probability integral transformation) 序的均勻份佈性質與獨性質。第一篇文章基於Clements and Smith (2002) 的方法提出新的位置正變換。這新的變換改善原有的對稱問題，以及提高檢驗的power。第二篇文章建對於多變或然分佈預測的data-driven smooth 檢驗。通過蒙特卡模擬，本文驗證這種方法在小樣本下的有效性。在此之前，由於高維模型的複雜性，大部分的研究止於二維模型。我們在文中提出有效的方法把多維變換至單變。蒙特卡模擬實驗，以及在組融據的應用中，都證實這種方法的優勢。最後一篇文章提出非貝斯結構性轉變的VAR 模型。在此之前，Chib(1998) 建的貝斯結構性轉變模型須要預先假定構性轉變的目。因此他的方法須要比較同構性轉變目模型的優。而本文提出的stick-breaking 先驗概，可以使構性轉變目在估計中一同估計出。因此我們的方法具有robust 之性質。通過蒙特卡模擬，我們考察存在著四個構性轉變的autoregressive VAR(2) 模型。結果顯示我們的方法能準確地估計出構性轉變的發生位置。而模型中的65 個估計都十分接近真實值。我們把這方法應用在多個對沖基回報序。驗測出的構性轉變位置與市場大跌的時段十分吻合。 / This thesis consists of three essays on financial econometrics. The first two essays are about multivariate density forecast evaluations. The third essay is on nonparametric Bayesian change-point VAR model. We develop a method for multivariate density forecast evaluations. The density forecast evaluation is based on checking uniformity and independence conditions of the probability integral transformation of the observed series in question. In the first essay, we propose a new method which is a location-adjusted version of Clements and Smith (2002) that corrects asymmetry problem and increases testing power. In the second essay, we develop a data-driven smooth test for multivariate density forecast evaluation and show some evidences on its finite sample performance using Monte Carlo simulations. Previous to our study, most of the works are up to bivariate model as it is difficult to evaluate with the existing methods. We propose an efficient dimensional reduction approach to reduce the dimension of multivariate density evaluation to a univariate one. We perform various Monte Carlo simulations and two applications on financial asset returns which show that our test performs well. The last essay proposes a nonparametric extension to existing Bayesian change-point model in a multivariate setting. Previous change-point model of Chib (1998) requires specification of the number of change points a priori. Hence a posterior model comparison is needed for di erent change-point models. We introduce the stick-breaking prior to the change-point process that allows us to endogenize the number of change points into the estimation procedure. Hence, the number of change points is simultaneously determined with other unknown parameters. Therefore our model is robust to model specification. We preform a Monte Carlo simulation of bivariate vector autoregressive VAR(2) process which is subject to four structural breaks. Our model estimate the break locations with high accuracy and the posterior estimates of the 65 parameters are closed to the true values. We apply our model to various hedge fund return processes and the detected change points coincide with market crashes. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Ko, Iat Meng. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2013. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 176-194). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts also in Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgement --- p.v / Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 2 --- Multivariate Density Forecast Evaluation: A Modified Approach --- p.7 / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.7 / Chapter 2.2 --- Evaluating Density Forecasts --- p.13 / Chapter 2.3 --- Monte Carlo Simulations --- p.18 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Bivariate normal distribution --- p.19 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- The Ramberg distribution --- p.21 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Student’s t and uniform distributions --- p.24 / Chapter 2.4 --- Empirical Applications --- p.24 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- AR model --- p.25 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- GARCH model --- p.27 / Chapter 2.5 --- Conclusion --- p.29 / Chapter 3 --- Multivariate Density Forecast Evaluation: Smooth Test Approach --- p.39 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.39 / Chapter 3.2 --- Exponential Transformation for Multi-dimension Reduction --- p.47 / Chapter 3.3 --- The Smooth Test --- p.56 / Chapter 3.4 --- The Data-Driven Smooth Test Statistic --- p.66 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Selection of K --- p.66 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Choosing p of the Portmanteau based test --- p.69 / Chapter 3.5 --- Monte Carlo Simulations --- p.70 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- Multivariate normal and Student’s t distributions --- p.71 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- VAR(1) model --- p.74 / Chapter 3.5.3 --- Multivariate GARCH(1,1) Model --- p.78 / Chapter 3.6 --- Density Forecast Evaluation of the DCC-GARCH Model in Density Forecast of Spot-Future returns and International Equity Markets --- p.80 / Chapter 3.7 --- Conclusion --- p.87 / Chapter 4 --- Stick-Breaking Bayesian Change-Point VAR Model with Stochastic Search Variable Selection --- p.111 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.111 / Chapter 4.2 --- The Bayesian Change-Point VAR Model --- p.116 / Chapter 4.3 --- The Stick-breaking Process Prior --- p.120 / Chapter 4.4 --- Stochastic Search Variable Selection (SSVS) --- p.121 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Priors on Φ[subscript j] = vec(Φ[subscript j]) = --- p.122 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Prior on Σ[subscript j] --- p.123 / Chapter 4.5 --- The Gibbs Sampler and a Monte Carlo Simulation --- p.123 / Chapter 4.5.1 --- The posteriors of ΦΣ[subscript j] and Σ[subscript j] --- p.123 / Chapter 4.5.2 --- MCMC Inference for SB Change-Point Model: A Gibbs Sampler --- p.126 / Chapter 4.5.3 --- A Monte Carlo Experiment --- p.128 / Chapter 4.6 --- Application to Daily Hedge Fund Return --- p.130 / Chapter 4.6.1 --- Hedge Funds Composite Indices --- p.132 / Chapter 4.6.2 --- Single Strategy Hedge Funds Indices --- p.135 / Chapter 4.7 --- Conclusion --- p.138 / Chapter A --- Derivation and Proof --- p.166 / Chapter A.1 --- Derivation of the distribution of (Z₁ - EZ₁) x (Z₂ - EZ₂) --- p.166 / Chapter A.2 --- Derivation of limiting distribution of the smooth test statistic without parameter estimation uncertainty ( θ = θ₀) --- p.168 / Chapter A.3 --- Proof of Theorem 2 --- p.170 / Chapter A.4 --- Proof of Theorem 3 --- p.172 / Chapter A.5 --- Proof of Theorem 4 --- p.174 / Chapter A.6 --- Proof of Theorem 5 --- p.175 / Bibliography --- p.176

Wang, Boqun. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 35-37). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgment --- p.ii / Contents --- p.iii / List of Tables and Figures --- p.iv / Chapter 1. --- Introduction --- p.v / Chapter 2. --- Literature Review --- p.1 / Chapter 2.1. --- Interpretation of the Output Moderation --- p.3 / Chapter 3 . --- Reduction of Output Volatility in China --- p.6 / Chapter 3.1. --- Data Description --- p.8 / Chapter 3.2. --- Basic Statistical Analysis --- p.8 / Chapter 3.3 --- Decomposition of the Reduction in Volatility --- p.13 / Chapter 3.4. --- Compositional Change --- p.13 / Chapter 4. --- Output Volatility Drop from Central-planning to Economic transition…… --- p.15 / Chapter 5. --- Output Moderation during the Reform Period --- p.19 / Chapter 5.1. --- Conceptual Framework --- p.19 / Chapter 5.2. --- General Determinants --- p.19 / Chapter 5.2.1. --- China-specific Determinants --- p.22 / Chapter 5.3. --- Panel Regression --- p.23 / Chapter 5.3.1. --- Without Share --- p.25 / Chapter 5.3.2. --- With Share --- p.29 / Chapter 5.3.3. --- Interpretation of the Regression Result --- p.33 / Chapter 6. --- Conclusion --- p.33 / References --- p.35 / Figures and Tables --- p.38

Yuan, Jiang. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 48-51). / Abstract also in Chinese. / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Literature Review --- p.5 / Chapter 2.1 --- Theoretical Literature --- p.5 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Menu Cost Model --- p.5 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Signal Extraction Model --- p.6 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Monetary Search Model --- p.7 / Chapter 2.2 --- Empirical Literature --- p.8 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Inflation and Relative Price Variability in a Transitional Economy Evidence from China --- p.10 / Chapter 3.1 --- Data and Variables --- p.10 / Chapter 3.2 --- Inflation Decomposition --- p.19 / Chapter 3.3 --- Empirical Evidence --- p.14 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Inflation and RPV --- p.14 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Robustness --- p.18 / Chapter 3.4 --- Conclusion --- p.20 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Inflationary Regimes and Relative Prices --- p.22 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.22 / Chapter 4.2 --- The Change of Inflationary Regimes in China: 1978-2008 --- p.23 / Chapter 4.3 --- Inflationary Regimes and Relative Price --- p.25 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Preliminary Evidence --- p.25 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Empirical Evidence --- p.27 / Chapter 4.4 --- Structure Change --- p.32 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Endogenous Breakpoint Test --- p.32 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Test Results on the Changing Role of Expected Inflation --- p.33 / Chapter 4.5 --- Conclusion --- p.35 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Institutional Cost and Relative Price Variability --- p.36 / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.36 / Chapter 5.2 --- "Institutional Cost, Price Adjustment, and Relative Price Variability in China" --- p.38 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Background --- p.38 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Institutional cost --- p.39 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- The relationship between institutional cost and relative price variability --- p.42 / Chapter 5.3 --- The Empirical Evidence --- p.43 / Chapter 5.4 --- Conclusion --- p.45 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Conclusion and Implications --- p.46 / Reference --- p.48