Syed F. Mahmud

The energy demand in the manufacturing sector of Pakistan : some further results

Abstract The purpose of this study was to re-examine the role of energy in the manufacturing sector of Pakistan using a Partial Equilibrium Approach. GL restricted cost function along with the factor demand equations were estimated using Zellner’s iterative procedure. Higher energy prices do not seem to adversely affect investment in capital. Substitution possibilities between energy and non-energy inputs are very limited and therefore energy price hikes may directly affect the cost of production. Inter-fuel cross price elasticities indicate that there are substitution possibilities between electricity and gas.

Testing Marshall-Lerner Condition: A Non-Parametric Approach

In this study, non-parametric kernel estimation technique has been employed to estimate import and export price elasticities for six developed countries. Based on the estimates of these elasticities Marshall-Lerner condition has been examined. In general the condition is only partially satisfied in the sub-sample periods. The results also suggest that the condition is more likely to be satisfied under fixed exchange rate regime.

Is Money an Omitted Variable in the Production Function? Some Further Results

In recent years, numerous studies have emphasized the role of real balances in the production function in terms of money being useful: as an intermediate good; as liquid reserves for investment; and also serving as a link between aggregate supply and the nominal interest rate. In this paper we report new Canadian empirical evidence regarding the important role of money in the production process of aggregate manufacturing industries based on a flexible translog cost function approach. In general, our results support the hypothesis that money is an important factor in the production function and that there are potential supply side effects of a change in the interest rate.

Macroeconometric modelling and Pakistan's economy: A vector autoregression approach

Abstract Recent applications of the Vector Autoregression (VAR) technique pioneered by Sims, Litterman and Doan has become popular in macroeconomic modelling, particularly when knowledge about ‘true’ structural relations is absent. This study represents the first attempt to apply such a technique to Pakistani data for ten key macroeconomic variables. Unlike some of the earlier studies on Pakistans economy our empirical results are intuitive and consistent with the predictions of the standard new neoclassical model. More importantly, based on these results, perhaps, one may also shed light on some of the dominant recurring macroeconomic issues of Pakistans economy.

Sentiment and Beta Herding in the Borsa Istanbul (BIST)

Abstract This study searches for sentimental herding in Borsa Istanbul (BIST) during the last decade using a state-space model employing cross-section standard deviations of systematic risk (Beta). It has been found that herding toward the market in the BIST-100 is both statistically significant and persistent independently from market fundamentals such as the volatility of returns and the levels of market returns. Herding trends over the sample period indicate that the financial crisis in 2000–2001 appeared to bring about sentimental herding in BIST which was followed by a calm period during which investors turned to fundamentals. Thereafter, we observe a volatile adverse herding pattern till the end of 2011 due to the confusing environment caused by the internal and external events.