Jianmin Luo, Renato Pereira and Álvaro Dias

DOI: https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-7092.2020.09.06

Published: 29 January 2020

Abstract: This article presents an integrated macro view of the Portuguese housing market with macroeconomic indicators. Firstly, it compares the housing market and several macroeconomic indicators from 2004 to 2018. Then, the dynamic analysis of the housing prices by different regions in Portugal and its typology included. Also, the article is complemented with the regression analysis to identify the relationship between the house prices and macroeconomic indicators.

Results show that the current negative interest rates are increasing the demand for houses and the housing prices. The housing stock in Portugal is mostly fixed but may experience limited growth as the rebuild program and new constructions. GDP and the housing prices have a positive correlation. Houses in Algarve and Lisbon are markedly more expensive than in the interior. From the regression analysis, the unemployment rate is the closest correlated variable.

Keywords: Housing Prices, Housing market, Real estate, Portugal.

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Fiyinfoluwa Giwa and Ireen Choga

DOI: https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-7092.2020.09.08

Published: 06 Febraury 2020

Abstract: Households are tremendously affected by changes in food prices. The extent of the impact depends on the income of households. This study is undertaken to analyse the impact of food price changes on food insecurity and economic welfare in selected southern African countries (Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, Mozambique and Botswana). The Panel Auto Regressive Distributed Lag (PARDL) model is estimated using time series data from the period of 1980 to 2016. The findings of this study showed that food price changes positively affect economic welfare in the long run for the countries. Households that are net food sellers generate a higher income when prices go up. Therefore, food price changes are a gain for these households, especially producers and net sellers. Furthermore, the study revealed that inflation and net trade affect economic welfare for the countries in the short run. As a policy recommendation, the governments of these countries can subsidise food producers, most especially producers of staple foods that are seasonal; this can stabilize food price changes. As a result, both net sellers and net buyers of food can benefit from food prices. In other words, the benefit of food price can spread across to net buyers, not only net sellers. Also the governments of these countries can use monetary policy such as increase in interest rate to combat inflation.

Keywords: PARDL, Food Price Instability, Food Security, Economic welfare, Southern African countries.

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Vladimir A. Popov

DOI: https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-7092.2020.09.07

Published: 29 January 2020

Abstract: The reasons of the financial markets collapse and methods of their forecasting are investigated in this article. A model based on hypothesis of the quantum nature of the impact of information on financial markets is given. It is shown that in information-saturated volatile financial markets, sharp price jumps are really expected

Motivation for this research is inability of traditional approach for explaining sharp price jumps during financial crises. They are unexpected according to the traditional theories. When considering the logarithm of relative price changes over the period ytk = ln(Ntk/Ntk-1) it was found that the statistical characteristics of this random value differ from the characteristics of the normal distribution. The approach, developed in this paper, explaining the possibility of sharp price jumps, seems to be more harmonious than the traditional approach.

Novelty of given approach consists in considering a model based on the assumption about the quantum (discontinuous) nature of information impact on financial markets. The process of information transfer is quantum – i. e. the information is transmitted in portions, multiples of a quantum of information. There are discrete information levels. When moving from one level to another, it is necessary to absorb or emit one quantum of information. Thus, the amount of information of a particular level is necessarily a multiple of the quantum of information.

Methodology and methods are based on probability and differential equations. Equation with respect to logarithm of increment of prices y = ln(N(t0+t)/N(t0)) is thoroughly investigated. The probability density function for each information price level Pn(y) = 2n(y), where (y) is called the wave function of prices. Equation with respect to (y) is thoroughly investigated too.

There are many calculations of various probabilities and other characteristics of y (logarithm of prices increment) for different information price level. The hierarchy of information-price levels is autonomous – i.e. each of them has its own separate probability characteristics, different functions of probability density distribution. The normal distribution takes place only when n=0. For all others n=1, 2, 3... the density functions are different from Gaussian.

Keywords: Financial markets, asset prices, price emissions, risks, the quantum nature of information, resonance phenomena, density wave function, quantum oscillator.

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Vladislav V. Antropov and Irina А. Strelkova

DOI: https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-7092.2020.09.09

Published: 06 Febraury 2020

Abstract: The subject of the article is Islamic banks – a special form of banking business, in which services are provided to customers on an interest-free basis. The article discusses the reasons why Islamic banks emerged and spread, and considers the dynamics and geographical distribution of their assets in the world economy. Particular attention is paid to the theory and practice of Islamic banks performance, their main differences from conventional banks, as well as basic mechanisms of Islamic financing. Problems that make it difficult for Islamic banks to expand in non-Muslim countries have been revealed. The experience of Islamic banks in the post-Soviet space has been analyzed, and the practical experience and success of these financial institutions have been considered.

Keywords: Islamic banks, Islamic Finance, interest-free financing, loan interest.

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