Mardi | 2018-04-19
Salle B103 12h – 13h30

Theodore PANAGIOTIDIS

We investigate the effect of economic uncertainty on investment. We employ a sample consisting of annual data from 25000 Greek firms’ balance sheets covering the period from 2000 to 2014. A dynamic factor model is employed to proxy uncertainty. The investment performance of 14 sectors is examined within a dynamic investment model. Robust GMM estimates of the investment rate model reveal a high degree of heterogeneity among these sectors. Overall uncertainty affects negatively investment performance and this effect substantially increased in the years of crisis. Agriculture and Mining are the least affected and the most affected ones include Manufacturing, Real Estate and Hotels. Focusing on the response of investment to uncertainty, it emerges that (relative) smaller firms are affected more compared to larger ones.