20 research outputs found
FORTRAN code for Heterogeinity, Aggregate Uncertainty and the Short-Term Interest Rate
No full textIn this paper we solve heterogenous agents models using the parameterized expectations algorithm (PEA) and the policy function iterations algorithm (PFI). The problem in solving these models is that the wealth distribution belongs to the set of state variables. We solve this problem by approximating the distribution with a limited set of moments or percentiles. We find that the number of types has a small effect on the average interest rate and consumption smoothing. The included programs are: PEA program with percentiles from section 3 (xxpe6.f), PEA program with moments from section 3 (xxpe7.f), PFI program from section 3 (xx5.f), Simulation PFI program from section 3 (xxsim5.f), PEA program from section 4 (a3agg.f).
Shocks and the Unavoidable Road to Higher Taxes and Higher Unemployment
No full textThis paper considers a matching model in which multiple steady-state unemployment rates exist if government expenditures and unemployment benefits are high enough. The focus on the extensive margin and a possible transition to a steady state with higher unemployment rates imply that the effect of tax rates can be high even when the elasticity between consumption and leisure is low. The matching friction limits transitions between steady states due to self-fulfilling expectations. After a sufficiently large increase in the unemployment rate and after a large enough increase in the tax burden caused by an exogenous increase in government spending, however, transition towards the high-unemployment steady state is unavoidable in an economy with generous unemployment benefits. (Copyright: Elsevier)Multiple equilibria; Matching friction; Unemployment benefits; Fiscal policy
FORTRAN code for Solving Dynamic Models with Aggregate Shocks and Heterogeneous Agents
No full textThe following programs are provided: mac33net.f (basic program that uses two moments to approximate the crosssectional distribution), mac8adne.f (program that uses four moments to approximate the crosssectional distribution), simul.f (program to simulate the data), input.dat (this file contains all the necessary input files.)
Temporary Shocks and Unavoidable Transistions to a High-Unemployment Regime
No full textThis paper develops a model with multiple steady states (low tax and low unemployment versus high tax and high unemployment) in which equilibrium selection is not conditioned on a sunspot variable. Instead, large temporary shocks initiate unavoidable transitions from one steady state to another. Tax policies have huge effects in some cases. In particular, it is possible that the transition to the high-unemployment steady state after a negative shock can be avoided if the government borrows to finance unemployment benefits, and in some cases it is even possible that a credible permanent tax cut would force the economy out of the high-unemployment steady state. The model is used to explain the high European unemployment rates in the 80's and 90's. The paper argues that the increase in unemployment during the 70's played a key role because it led to an increase in the obligation to pay unemployment benefits. The implied tax burden was so big that the transition to the highunemployment regime was the unique equilibrium outcome.
The role of debt and equity finance over the business cycle
No full textNet equity issuance occurs frequently and is quantitatively important for both small and large publicly traded firms. Moreover, we show that net equity and net debt issuance are positively correlated and both are procyclical for small firms. For large firms net equity issuance is neither cyclical nor correlated with debt issuance. We extend the existing business cycle models with agency costs in two ways. First, we relax the standard assumptions of linearity and full depreciation. Consequently, variables such as the default probability and leverage will depend on firm size. It also means that an increase in net worth reduces the default probability (instead of leaving it unchanged). Second, we relax the standard assumption that firms cannot attract outside equity. In our model, aggregate shocks are propagated as in the model without equity issuance, but in contrast to the standard model they are also magnified and the default rate is countercyclical. Moreover, our model is consistent with the observed cyclical behavior of firms' financing sources for both small and large firms.agency costs, frictions
FORTRAN code for Simulation Parameterized Expecations Algorithm
No full textThis program is very similar to the program used in the Den Haan and Marcet (1990) JBES article.
VARHAC Covariance Matrix Estimator (FORTRAN)
No full textThis program calculates the VARHAC covariance matrix estimator proposed in Den Haan and Levin (1994). The FORTRAN procedure calculates the VARHAC spectral estimator of the spectral density at frequency zero for a number of input series.
VARHAC Covariance Matrix Estimator (RATS)
No full textThese programs calculate the VARHAC covariance matrix estimator proposed in Den Haan and Levin (1994) . RATS procedure calculates the VARHAC spectral estimator of the spectral density at frequency zero for a number of input series. The RATS OLS procedure calculates the least-squares estimates and robust standard errors, calculated with the VARHAC procedure. The commands and the options are described in the programs. The only difference between the dos and the unix version is how neatly the menus appear on your screen when you choose to use the interactive mode. Included files: varhac.src, rats VARHAC program (dos version). varhac2.src, rats VARHAC program (unix version). vhols, rats OLS program (dos version). vhols2, rats OLS program (unix version).
VARHAC Covariance Matrix Estimator (GAUSS)
No full textThese programs calculate the VARHAC covariance matrix estimator proposed in Den Haan and Levin (1994) . The GAUSS procedure calculates the VARHAC spectral estimator of the spectral density at frequency zero for a number of input series. Included files: vhgauss3.src, gauss VARHAC procedure. ls.pro, program to calculate OLS parameter estimates and VARHAC standard errors. exam1.dat, sample data file for ls.pro. exam2.dat, a second sample data file for ls.pro. exgauss1.pro, another example program.
