Marcet Torrens, Albert
Research Professor
Social & Behavioural Sciences
Institucio Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avancats
Spain
Biography
PhD in Economics U. of Minnesota, 1987 * Assistant professor, Carnegie Mellon University, 1986-1991 * Full Professor, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 1990-2004 * Research Professor, IAE-CSIC, 2004-2009 * Full Professor, London School of Economics, 2009-2011
Research Interest
RECURSIVE CONTRACTS In social sci. it is common to find models of dynamic stochastic optimization with forward-looking constraints, e.g., in models of optimal policy or optimal contracts. These models are not amenable to a standard Bellman equation treatment. We propose a new way of formulating recursively these dynamic optimization problems. Our approach has a very wide range of applications. ASSET PRICES AND LEARNING Asset prices show huge fluctuations over time that are hard to reconcile with actual fundamentals. We explore those agents that behave rationally and have an empirically plausible model of asset prices. We explain stock and housing price fluctuations. DEBT MANAGEMENT The European debt crisis highlights the importance of choosing appropriately the bond portfolio issued by governments (debt management). Fiscal sustainability may depend on what bonds mature and when. We analyze the optimal combination of bond maturities that should be issued over the business cycle.
Publications
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"Capital and Labor Taxes, Macroeconomic Activity, and Redistribution", 1998, Opuscle CREI, no.3, Universitat Pompeu Fabra.
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Debt Limits, Deficit Ceilings and Debt Management", (joint with A. Scott) 1999, chapter in the book The Changing European Financial Landscape, edited by S.C.W. Eijnger, K. Koedijk, M. Pagano, R. Portes, edited by CEPR, pp 4-14.
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"Recursive Contracts", entry in New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics 2d Edition, ed. by Steven N. Durlauf and Lawrence E. Blume, vol. 7, 39-42, Palgrave McMillan, 2008.
