In interim economies with asymmetric information, we show that the coarse core of Wilson (1978) does not converge to price equilibrium allocations as the economy is replicated. This failure of core convergence is a basic consequence of asymmetric information and extends to any reasonable notion of either (interim) core or price equilibrium. JEL Classification: C71, D51

We compare multi-object English-type ascending price auctions with first price sealed bid auctions in private values environments with multi-object demands. Special attention is paid to the effect of closing rules on ascending auctions’ outcomes. JEL classification code: C92, D44

We examine the role low-price guarantees allegedly play in supporting supracompetitive prices. We find that when firms can commit to matching or beating any lower price announced by a competitor, all Nash equilibria yield Bertrand selling prices. This result casts doubt on the robustness of the conclusions of models which restrict attention to meet-the-competition clauses only. JEL Classificati...

This article shows that the “risk premium” shock in Smets and Wouters (2007) can be interpreted as a structural shock to the demand for safe and liquid assets such as short-term US Treasury securities. Several implications of this interpretation are discussed. JEL Classification Numbers: E00, E1, E3, E4, E5, G1

In a financial market with a continuous price process and proportional transaction costs we investigate the problem of utility maximization of terminal wealth. We give sufficient conditions for the existence of a shadow price process, i.e. a least favorable frictionless market leading to the same optimal strategy and utility as in the original market under transaction costs. The crucial ingredi...

Based on monthly observations, I specify an econometric model capturing the driving forces behind the crude oil price series in recent years. A large set of covariates, such as supply and demand variables as well as futures market variables, is used to test the impact on the crude oil price. Current price movements are a result of scarce refining capacity and speculators betting on higher price...

This paper proposes a price index for artists based on the ratio between the average market price and the average estimated price of the paintings sold by an artist each year, adjusted for market dynamics. We apply this methodology to a group of selected artists and schools drawing from a database including auction prices and estimated prices of paintings presented in auctions world wide betwee...