This paper estimates the efficiency of the Czech commercial banks in the period 2001–2010 using the non-parametric Data Envelopment Analysis. We simultaneously use two alternative specifications – CCR model and BCR model – that differ in returns to scale assumption. Differences in estimated efficiency scores of individual banks are quite large up to 70 percentage points. Largest banks perform significantly worse than mid-size and small banks. This efficiency gap decreases if variable returns to scale are considered in the estimation. The average efficiency in the banking sector remained nearly unchanged during the analysed period. Although each year is estimated separately one can observe a deterioration of average efficiency during the recent crisis period.
This study examines the effect of specific macroeconomic factors on the stock prices of selected financial sector companies listed on the Central European Exchanges (Budapest Stock Exchange, Prague Stock Exchange, Bratislava Stock Exchange, or Warsaw Stock Exchange). We investigate the nature of the causal relationships between macroeconomic factors and stock prices. The long‑term causality, tested using the Johansen cointegration test, and the short‑run dynamics between the variables, examined using the VECM model, are explored using quarterly data from the 2005–2014 period. The short‑term causality shows the possibility of time series fluctuations; however a steady state should be achieved in the long‑term. In general, we confirmed that macroeconomic fundamentals had a negative impact on stock prices. The interest rate, which also has a negative impact, is the most prominent predictor of the long‑run developments. We also found very rare examples of macroeconomic variables that explain changes in stock prices within the VECM framework.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.