There is a growing consensus that senior management in either marketing or finance department should not evaluate the marketing performance only by marketing metrics, e.g. market share, sales growth, customer satisfaction, and etc., but focusing on maximizing shareholder value because they do not understand how or even whether those marketing metrics benefit shareholders. To follow this trend, this article investigates whether a firm¡¦s advertising expenditure, customer satisfaction, and research-and-development (R&D) expenditure have effects on total risk, systematic risk, and unsystematic risk of its common stock. After examining American and Taiwan stock market in the period from 2001 to 2005, the study finds that, conforming to the hypotheses in the study, advertising and customer satisfaction can significantly lower all a firm¡¦s total risk, systematic risk, and unsystematic risk of its common stock. The result of R&D, however, rejects the hypotheses in the study and even previous research and states that R&D would increase a firm¡¦s total risk, systematic risk, and unsystematic risk of its common stock in American stock market, yet increase systematic risk and decrease unsystematic risk in Taiwan stock market. The implication of this study may offer senior managers an alternative thinking of controlling business risk and resource allocation.

We investigate the relationship between advertising and research and development (R&D) expenditures with the firm¡¦s systematic and unsystematic risks. Our data covers from January 1981 to December 2007 with more than two thousand publicly listed firms in the New York Stock Exchange. In addition to classical least squares approach, we utilize quantile regression model to examine whether the estimated slope parameters vary across different quantiles of the conditional distribution of the firm¡¦s systematic risk and unsystematic risk. We generate six empirical generalizations. (1) Advertising is significantly associated with lower systematic risk for firms with lower, median and higher systematic risk, but with no significant effects on the firms with extremely low systematic risk. (2) R&D is significantly associated with higher systematic risk for firms with median and higher systematic risk, with no significant effect for those with lower systematic risk. (3) Advertising is significantly associated with lower unsystematic risk for firms with higher unsystematic risk, but with no significant effects for those with median and lower unsystematic risk. (4) R&D is significantly associated with higher unsystematic risk for firms with median and higher unsystematic risk, with no significant effect for those with lower unsystematic risk. (5) Our evidence shows that both advertising and R&D have a stronger effect on firms with higher systematic risk (unsystematic risk) than on those with lower systematic risk (unsystematic risk). (6) Moreover, our evidence suggests that advertising and R&D tests resoundingly support our hypothesis that the coefficients vary across the quantiles.

No / This study assesses whether the widely documented momentum profits can be ascribed to time-varying risk as described by a GJR-GARCH(1,1)-M model. Consistent with rational pricing in efficient markets, we reveal that momentum profits are a compensation for time-varying unsystematic risks, common to the winner and loser stocks. We also find that, because losers have a higher propensity than winners of disclose bad news, negative return shocks increase their volatility more than it increases that of the winners. The volatility of the losers is also found to respond to news more slowly, but eventually to a greater extent, than that of the winners. Following Hong et al. (2000), we interpret this as a sign that managers of loser firms are reluctant to disclosing bad news, while managers of winner firms are eager to releasing good news

Since reformed of banking structure in China, banks have been gradually developed their operation system. Moreover, the restructure in commercial bank after joined WTO had established China¡¦s banks performance and international reputation. Since 2007, many large commercial banks have strength its risk management based on the commitments made by China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) to follow the New Basel Capital Accord. When the global banking industry is devastated by global financial crisis (GFC) during 2008, China¡¦s banks are less affected by GFC. In addition, the capital scale and revenues performance were thrived during GFC. Therefore, it shows that banks in China had improved the resilience ability during financial crisis. However, being originated in China¡¦s loose monetary policy and economic stimulus package after GFC, investors worried that domestic banks might bear high risks. Notably, the risk is specific risk from each bank instead of system risk. This study employs Markov regime-switching model to examine 14 China banks¡¦ stock prices. The empirical evidence supports our hypothesis that behavior of China banks¡¦ stock prices has confronted structural change after GFC. Furthermore, this research presents that unsystematic risks from each bank were significantly decreased after GFC. It indicates that investors are too pessimistic on the banks in China might suffer high risk after government interventions.

Business valuations have been an integral part of business for many years, and will stay an important part of business, as valuations are required for multiple reasons. The majority of businesses in South Africa (and the rest of the world) consist of privately-owned companies. A business valuation in general is a complex exercise that can be described as an inexact science. When the business valuation of a privately-owned company is added to the equation, the level of uncertainty is increased with another notch. The valuations of privately-owned companies are therefore a relevant topic. As unsystematic risk in privately-owned companies is difficult to eliminate or mitigate by diversification, this study sets the goal to determine if the advisory departments of the big four audit, tax and advisory firms in South Africa (Ernst & Young, PwC, KPMG and Deloitte & Touch) consider and incorporate unsystematic risk into valuations of privately-owned companies and if it is taken into account, whether it is done objectively. This study firstly focussed on the literature of privately-owned company valuations. The most frequently used approaches are found to be the market approach and the income approach. The asset approach is used to determine the minimum value of a company (the liquidation value). The topic of unsystematic risk is perceived as very much subjective and therefore receptive of manipulation. The second part of the study uses the mixed method approach to collect empirical data, using survey questionnaires and follow-up interviews (which are based on the literature review). It was found that the preferred valuation approaches used by the participants are indeed the income approach followed by the market approach. It seems that these two approaches are used in conjunction with one another. Incorporating unsystematic risk is done in line with what the literature proposes, but as professional judgement is needed, the process is never entirely objective. Participants tend to agree that the identification and quantification of unsystematic risk are not entirely objective and that it is possible to use unsystematic risk as a device to bring the final results of a valuation in line with the clients‟ objective. This study recommends that a professional valuation body should be formed to regulate valuations in South Africa. This body should set valuation standards. It is furthermore recommended that the asset approach is used as a reasonableness test when going concern companies are valued, and to consider the use of CAPM variants (e.g. modified CAPM, the local CAPM, the Build-up method etc.) and non-CAPM variants (Estrada model and the EHV model) to determine the cost of equity when the income approach is followed, as is suggested by the literature. The practical implication of the study is that the research can be used as starting point by role-players in the valuations sector to open the discussion on the topic formally so that valuation practitioners can engage with one another and work towards a professional valuation body and valuation standards. The limitations of the study are that only top-level employees were used as the representatives of firms and the population only includes the big four audit, advisory and taxation firms. Areas for further research include extending the population to three strata, viz. big four firms, medium-sized firms and small-sized firms. Comparative valuations on a case study can be performed by the different approaches of each stratum using unsystematic risk as the only variable (if themes are identified in strata). Conclusions can be made based on the outcomes of the valuations to determine the impact when different approaches are followed. / Thesis (M.Com. (Management Accountancy))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Business valuations have been an integral part of business for many years, and will stay an important part of business, as valuations are required for multiple reasons. The majority of businesses in South Africa (and the rest of the world) consist of privately-owned companies. A business valuation in general is a complex exercise that can be described as an inexact science. When the business valuation of a privately-owned company is added to the equation, the level of uncertainty is increased with another notch. The valuations of privately-owned companies are therefore a relevant topic. As unsystematic risk in privately-owned companies is difficult to eliminate or mitigate by diversification, this study sets the goal to determine if the advisory departments of the big four audit, tax and advisory firms in South Africa (Ernst & Young, PwC, KPMG and Deloitte & Touch) consider and incorporate unsystematic risk into valuations of privately-owned companies and if it is taken into account, whether it is done objectively. This study firstly focussed on the literature of privately-owned company valuations. The most frequently used approaches are found to be the market approach and the income approach. The asset approach is used to determine the minimum value of a company (the liquidation value). The topic of unsystematic risk is perceived as very much subjective and therefore receptive of manipulation. The second part of the study uses the mixed method approach to collect empirical data, using survey questionnaires and follow-up interviews (which are based on the literature review). It was found that the preferred valuation approaches used by the participants are indeed the income approach followed by the market approach. It seems that these two approaches are used in conjunction with one another. Incorporating unsystematic risk is done in line with what the literature proposes, but as professional judgement is needed, the process is never entirely objective. Participants tend to agree that the identification and quantification of unsystematic risk are not entirely objective and that it is possible to use unsystematic risk as a device to bring the final results of a valuation in line with the clients‟ objective. This study recommends that a professional valuation body should be formed to regulate valuations in South Africa. This body should set valuation standards. It is furthermore recommended that the asset approach is used as a reasonableness test when going concern companies are valued, and to consider the use of CAPM variants (e.g. modified CAPM, the local CAPM, the Build-up method etc.) and non-CAPM variants (Estrada model and the EHV model) to determine the cost of equity when the income approach is followed, as is suggested by the literature. The practical implication of the study is that the research can be used as starting point by role-players in the valuations sector to open the discussion on the topic formally so that valuation practitioners can engage with one another and work towards a professional valuation body and valuation standards. The limitations of the study are that only top-level employees were used as the representatives of firms and the population only includes the big four audit, advisory and taxation firms. Areas for further research include extending the population to three strata, viz. big four firms, medium-sized firms and small-sized firms. Comparative valuations on a case study can be performed by the different approaches of each stratum using unsystematic risk as the only variable (if themes are identified in strata). Conclusions can be made based on the outcomes of the valuations to determine the impact when different approaches are followed. / Thesis (M.Com. (Management Accountancy))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka individers riskbeteende vid investeringar samt få en djupare förståelse för arbitrage och den osystematiska risken som är involverad när en individ utnyttjar arbitragemöjligheter. För att undersöka detta har en avgränsning gjorts till oddsmarknaden och riskfritt arbitrageutnyttjande i form av Surebets. Detta har undersökts med hjälp av kvalitativ- och kvantitativ metod i form av en triangulering. Genom en enkätundersökning och intervjuer kunde ett kausalt samband identifiera beteendesvängningar hos individer när det kommer till vinst och förlust. Ett Eta2-test genomfördes och påvisade ett samband mellan individers riskbenägenhet och kunskapen om Surebets. Studien fann flera osystematiska risker för användarna kopplat till Surebets varav den största är spelbolagen och dess användaravtal. Avslutningsvis kan nollhypotesen förkastas med hjälp av Eta2-testet samt ett kausalt samband, vilket bevisar ett högre risktagande bland individer som utnyttjar arbitrage på oddsmarknaden. / The purpose of this study is to investigate individuals' risk behavior during investments and to gain a deeper understanding of arbitrage and the unsystematic risk involved when an individual uses arbitrage opportunities. To investigate this a delimitation has been made to the odds market and the risk-free utilization of arbitrage in the form of Surebets. The method used to investigate this has been a qualitative and quantitative method in the form of a triangulation. Through a survey and interviews, a causal relationship could identify behavioral fluctuations in individuals when it comes to profit and loss cases. An Eta2 test was conducted and demonstrated a connection between individuals' risk behaviour and the knowledge of Surebets. The study found several unsystematic risks for users linked to Surebets, where the largest are the gaming companies and its user agreement. Finally, the null hypothesis can be rejected by means of the Eta2 test and a causal relationship, which proves a higher risk taking among individuals exploiting arbitrage opportunities on the odds market.

Submitted by Stefano Toto (stefanototo92@gmail.com) on 2015-03-24T18:06:58Z No. of bitstreams: 1 FInal version Stefano Toto .pdf: 2666174 bytes, checksum: a92ae5ee1fd88876c05d33145bf36d74 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luana Rodrigues (luana.rodrigues@fgv.br) on 2015-03-30T13:27:41Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 FInal version Stefano Toto .pdf: 2666174 bytes, checksum: a92ae5ee1fd88876c05d33145bf36d74 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-30T13:36:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 FInal version Stefano Toto .pdf: 2666174 bytes, checksum: a92ae5ee1fd88876c05d33145bf36d74 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-27 / This research is to be considered as an implementation of Goetzmann and Jorion (1999). In order to provide a more realistic scenario, we have implemented a Garch (1,1) approach for the residuals of returns and a multifactor model thus to better replicate the systematic risk of a market. The new simulations reveal some new aspects of emerging markets’ expected returns: the unpredictability of the emerging markets’ returns with the global factor does not depend on the year of emergence and that the unsystematic risk explains the returns of emerging markets for a much larger period of time. The results also reveal the high impact of Exchange rate, Commodities index and of the Global factor in emerging markets’ expected return.

Dans cette thèse, nous avons examiné l'impact de la communication des informations de risque dans les rapports annuels sur la liquidité, la réputation, et les risques spécifiques, systématiques et totaux. Nous avons développé une nouvelle méthodologie pour mesurer la communication sur les risques en utilisant six listes de mots (les mots incertains, d’opportunité, négatifs, de forme faible, des règlements juridiques et gouvernementaux, de l'environnement et de responsabilité sociale). En outre, nous avons utilisé plusieurs modèles empiriques (effets fixes, effet aléatoire, MCO, logistique groupée, effets fixes conditionnels logistiques, effets aléatoires logistiques, et le modèle linéaire mixte). L'analyse révèle plusieurs résultats importants. Premièrement, nous avons constaté que la communication des risques conduit à une baisse de liquidité, à une meilleure réputation, à une baisse des risques spécifiques, et à une augmentation des risques systématiques. Les résultats montrent également que la communication des risques n’influence pas la réputation des entreprises à haut risque. D’ailleurs, au cours de la dernière crise financière, la communication des risques a augmenté les risques spécifiques et totaux. Finalement, la communication des risques augmente les risques totaux et les risques systématiques pour les entreprises à haut risque, tandis qu'elle diminue les risques pour les entreprises à faible risque. / This Ph.D. dissertation explores the effect of the communication of risk on several factors in the French market. To measure communication about risk, we used content analysis. We developed a new method of measurement by using several word lists to capture different types of ambiguity and risk reporting (67 environmental and social responsibility words, 889 legal and government-regulation words, 2184 negative words, 306 uncertain words, 25 opportunity words, and 32 weak words). This thesis is organized into three chapters. The first chapter is devoted to studying the effect of risk communication on firm liquidity. The results show that an intense tone of risk and uncertain information in annual reports negatively affect liquidity. In the second chapter, we examine the effect of risk communication on companies’ reputations. We detect that risk reporting positively affects reputation. This result is robust for alternative empirical models (pooled OLS, fixed effects, and random effects) as well as for alternative measurements of reputation. In addition, we explore the risk-reporting behaviors of very high- and low-risk companies. We find that risk-disclosure behavior is sensitive to a company’s level of risk. The third chapter is dedicated to analyzing the effect of risk communication on company risks (unsystematic, systematic, and total risk). We find that risk communication is associated positively with systematic risk, and negatively with unsystematic risk. In contrast, during the financial crisis of 2008, we find a negative association between risk communication on the one hand and unsystematic and total risk on the other hand. Moreover, we observe that high-risk firms will not reduce their risks through more communication about risk.

Today fund matching is a natural part of Swedes finance and is a popular form of savings that includes a large number of investors in the Swedish fund market. This in turn generates an increased interest in how portfolio managers should locate and acquire knowledge in portfolio selection. This gives a greater interest in how different investment strategies can be affected and generate an investors wealth to an increased level within the stock market, which gives an increased focus to be able to generate as high risk-adjusted return as possible. The study partly presents traditional theory and background on modern portfolio theory and the efficient market hypothesis. Empirical studies also present within the financial market that demonstrate the differences of opinion between how actively versus passively managed funds have performed and which investment strategy is most beneficial for investment.  The purpose of the study is to compare realized return on active versus passive funds during long term, short term and specific time periods that had a lot of economic fluctuations, like bear markets. Within the study 10 actively managed funds and two index measures are selected to be studied and compared based on their respective performance, both within its rise and fall in the Swedish fund market. The performance measures will then be applied to be able to produce the results of the study and to be able to answer whether the active fund’s have any statistically significant over- and underperformance. After conducting single index models and t-test on the 10 active funds, the result of the study shows that despite using two benchmarks index, ten different active funds, long time period, short time period or specific time periods defined by market imbalance , we still resulted in many P-values that was not statistically significant. Active funds failed to overperform against passive funds, but passive funds also failed to outperform our selection of active funds.