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AbstractWe analyze the effect of monetary policy on yield spreads between corporate bonds with different credit ratings over the business cycle. We use futures contracts to distinguish between expected and unexpected changes in the Fed funds target rate and several indicators to distinguish between different phases of the business cycle. In line with the predictions of imperfect capital market theories, we find that yields on corporate bonds with low credit ratings widen (narrow) with respect to those with high credit ratings following an unexpected increase (decrease) in the Fed funds target rate during recession periods. Several tests suggest that our results are robust to outliers, potential endogeneity problems, empirical specification, control variables, countercyclical risk premium in futures, and alternative definitions of credit spreads and economic conditions.

Abstract This paper begins with the observation that short-selling bans spread globally in 2008. We find some evidence that the bans were unsuccessful at least insofar as they did not take into account the global component a short-selling ban which reduced equity returns in about a third of the 17 countries sampled, most notably in some of the major advanced economies. In the individual countries we examine, the bans had relatively little impact. Our results are suggestive as evidence that the bans stemmed further deterioration in stock prices that policy makers sought to avoid, at least in a few economies. JEL classifications: G10, G12 Keywords: Short-selling bans, spillovers, stock markets, dynamic conditional correlations

With the target date for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) behind us, this book asks did they work? And what happens next? Arguing that to effectively look forward, we must first look back, the editors of this insightful book gather leading scholars and practitioners from a range of backgrounds and regions to provide an in-depth exploration of the MDG project and its impact. Contributors use region-specific case studies to explore the effectiveness of the MDGs in addressing the root causes of poverty, including resource geographies, early childhood development and education, women's rights and disability rights as well as the impact of the global financial crisis and Arab Spring on MDG attainment. Providing a critical assessment that seeks to inform future policy decisions, the book will be valuable to those working in the development community as well as to academics and students of international development, international relations and development economics