Hector Calvo Pardo

Portfolio Choice With a Correlated Background Risk: Theory and Evidence

In this paper, we extend the static portfolio choice problem with a small background risk to the case of small partially correlated background risks. We show that respecting the theories under which risk substitution appears, except for the independence of background risk, it is perfectly rational for the individual to increase his optimal exposure to portfolio risk when risks are partially negatively correlated. Then, we test empirically the hypothesis of risk substitutability using French households data. We found that households respond by increasing their stockholdings in response to the increase in future earnings uncertainty. This conclusion is in contradiction with results obtained in other countries. So, in light of these results, our model provides an explanation to account for the lack of empirical consensus on cross-country tests of risk substitution theory that encompasses and criticises all of them.

Eductive Stability in Sequential Exchange Economies: An Introduction

This paper provides a survey of results concerning eductive stability of equilibrium in an abstract 2-period exchange economy. Eductive stability is based on the Common Knowledge considerations underlying the work reported in the book Assessing rational expectations: eductive stabiltiy in economics from which this paper is a chapter. Iteratively Expectational stability is a necessary condition of eductive stability : conditions for IE stability as well as for local eductive stability are provided and discussed : these conditions stress a key role for the income effects of savings decisions as well as for their sensitivity to relative prices tomorrow.