phd thesis in financial markets

• USF Research
• USF Libraries

Digital Commons @ USF > Muma College of Business > Finance > Theses and Dissertations

Finance Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2023 2023.

Do Industries' Political Profiles Affect Their Portfolio Return Performance? , Shaddy S. Douidar

Do Firms Overreact to the Enactment of Corporate Laws: Evidence from Anti-Price Gouging Laws , Mario Marshall

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

Essays on CEO Personal Characteristics and Corporate Outcomes: Athlete CEOs and Foreign CEOs , Kirill Pervun

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

Predictors of Economic Outlook in Stability Operations , Juan Carlos Garcia

The Warren Buffett Project: A Qualitative Study on Warren Buffett , Christian G. Koch

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Closing America’s Retirement Savings Gap: Nudging Small Business Owners to Adopt Workplace Retirement Plans , Peter W. Kirtland

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

Growth Options and Corporate Goodness , Linh Thompson

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

Essays on the Tax Policy and Insider Trading , Han Shi

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

Two Essays on Lottery-type Stocks , Yun Meng

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

Two Essays on IPOs and Asset Prices , Gaole Chen

Essays on the impact of CEO gender on corporate policies and outcomes , Nilesh Sah

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

Essays on Corporate Finance , Hari Prasad Adhikari

Two Essays on Individuals, Information, and Asset Prices , Joseph Mohr

Two Essays on Investment , Bin Wang

Two Essays on Corporate Finance , Qiancheng Zheng

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

Two Essays on Mergers and Acquisitions , Dongnyoung Kim

Two Essays on Politics and Finance , Incheol Kim

Two Essays on Stock Repurchases-The Post Repurchase Announcement Drift: An Anomaly in Disguise? and Intra Industry Effects of IPOs on Stock Repurchase Decisions , Thanh Thiet Nguyen

Two Essays on Investor Distraction , Erdem Ucar

Two Essays on Politics in Corporate Finance , Xiaojing Yuan

Theses/Dissertations from 2012 2012

On The Efficiency of US Equity Markets , Mikael Carl Erik Bergbrant

Two Essays on the Sell-side Financial Analysts , Xi Liu

Two essays on Corporate Restructuring , Dung Anh Pham

Two Essays on Corporate Governance , Yuwei Wang

Theses/Dissertations from 2011 2011

Capital Structure, Credit Ratings, and Sarbanes-Oxley , Kelly E. Carter

Institutional Investors and Corporate Financial Policies , Ricky William Scott

Advanced Search

• Email Notifications and RSS
• All Collections
• USF Faculty Publications
• Open Access Journals
• Conferences and Events
• Theses and Dissertations
• Textbooks Collection

Useful Links

• Rights Information
• SelectedWorks
• Submit Research

Home | About | Help | My Account | Accessibility Statement | Language and Diversity Statements

Privacy Copyright

• Princeton University Doctoral Dissertations, 2011-2024
• Operations Research and Financial Engineering

Items in Dataspace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.

This website uses cookies to ensure the best user experience. Privacy & Cookies Notice Accept Cookies

Manage My Cookies

Manage Cookie Preferences

Confirm My Selections

• Dissertation Areas and Joint PhD Programs
• PhD Career Outcomes
• PhD Proposals and Defenses
• PhD Job Market Candidates
• PhD Research Community
• 100 Years of Pioneering Research
• Rising Scholars Conference
• Yiran Fan Memorial Conference
• Frequently Asked Questions
• PhD in Accounting
• PhD in Behavioral Science
• PhD in Econometrics and Statistics
• PhD in Micro-Economics

PhD in Finance

• PhD in Management Science and Operations Management
• PhD in Marketing
• Joint Program in Financial Economics
• Joint Program in Psychology and Business
• Joint PhD/JD Program

Chicago Booth has long been recognized for its PhD in finance. Our finance faculty—which includes Nobel laureates Douglas W. Diamond, Eugene F. Fama, and Lars P. Hansen—sets the course for research in all areas of the field.

As a finance PhD student at Chicago Booth, you’ll join a community that encourages you to think independently.

Taking courses at Booth and in the university’s Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics, you will gain a solid foundation in all aspects of economics and finance--from the factors that determine asset prices to how firms and individuals make financial decisions. Following your coursework, you will develop your research in close collaboration with faculty and your fellow students. Reading groups and workshops with faculty, student-led brown-bag seminars, and conferences provide many opportunities to learn from others.

The Finance PhD Program also offers the Joint Program in Financial Economics , which is run by Chicago Booth and the Department of Economics in the Division of the Social Sciences at the University of Chicago.

Our Distinguished Finance Faculty

Chicago Booth finance faculty are leading researchers who also build strong relationships with doctoral students, collaborate on new ideas, and connect students with powerful career opportunities.

Francesca Bastianello

Assistant Professor of Finance and Liew Family Junior Faculty Fellow, Fama Faculty Fellow

Emanuele Colonnelli

Associate Professor of Finance and MV Advisors Faculty Fellow

George M. Constantinides

Leo Melamed Professor of Finance

Douglas W. Diamond

Merton H. Miller Distinguished Service Professor of Finance

Eugene F. Fama

Robert R. McCormick Distinguished Service Professor of Finance

Niels Gormsen

Neubauer Family Associate Professor of Finance and Fama Faculty Fellow

Lars Hansen

David Rockefeller Distinguished Service Professor The University of Chicago Departments of Economics, Statistics and the Booth School of Business

John C. Heaton

Joseph L. Gidwitz Professor of Finance

Steven Neil Kaplan

Neubauer Family Distinguished Service Professor of Entrepreneurship and Finance and Kessenich E.P. Faculty Director at the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Anil Kashyap

Stevens Distinguished Service Professor of Economics and Finance

Ralph S.J. Koijen

AQR Capital Management Distinguished Service Professor of Finance and Fama Faculty Fellow

Associate Professor of Finance and Fama Faculty Fellow

Stefan Nagel

Fama Family Distinguished Service Professor of Finance

Scott Nelson

Assistant Professor of Finance and Cohen and Keenoy Faculty Scholar

Pascal Noel

Neubauer Family Associate Professor of Finance and Kathryn and Grant Swick Faculty Scholar

Lubos Pastor

Charles P. McQuaid Distinguished Service Professor of Finance and Robert King Steel Faculty Fellow

Raghuram G. Rajan

Katherine Dusak Miller Distinguished Service Professor of Finance

Bruce Lindsay Distinguished Service Professor of Economics and Public Policy

Quentin Vandeweyer

Assistant Professor of Finance and Fama Faculty Fellow

Pietro Veronesi

Deputy Dean for Faculty and Chicago Board of Trade Professor of Finance

Robert W. Vishny

Myron S. Scholes Distinguished Service Professor of Finance and Neubauer Faculty Director of the Davis Center

Michael Weber

Associate Professor of Finance

Constantine Yannelis

Associate Professor of Finance and FMC Faculty Scholar

Anthony Lee Zhang

Assistant Professor of Finance

Luigi Zingales

Robert C. McCormack Distinguished Service Professor of Entrepreneurship and Finance

Alumni Success

Graduates of the Stevens Doctoral Program go on to successful careers in prominent institutions of higher learning, leading financial institutions, government, and beyond.

Shohini Kundu, MBA '20, PhD '21

Assistant Professor of Finance UCLA Anderson School of Management, University of California, Los Angeles Shohini Kundu's research lies in financial intermediation and macroeconomics, security design and externalities of financial contracts, and emerging market finance. Her dissertation area is in finance.

Jane (Jian) Li, PhD '21

Assistant Professor of Business, Finance Division Columbia Business School, Columbia University Jane's research lies at the intersection of macroeconomics and finance. She is particularly interested in how financial intermediaries affect the real economy and how different types of financial institutions can contribute to financial instability. Her dissertation area is in financial economics.

Spotlight on Research

The pages of Chicago Booth Review regularly highlight the research findings of finance faculty and PhD students.

A Brief History of Finance and My Life at Chicago

Chicago Booth’s Eugene F. Fama describes the serendipitous events that led him to Chicago, and into his monumental career in academic finance.

Climate-Policy Pronouncements Boost 'Brown' Stocks

It was a dramatic example of how White House communications on climate policy can affect asset prices, according to Washington University in St. Louis’s William Cassidy, a recent graduate of Booth’s PhD Program.

With Business Loans Harder to Get, Private Debt Funds Are Stepping In

It’s become harder for many prospective borrowers to access capital. But private debt funds have stepped in to fill the gap, according to Joern Block (Trier University), Booth PhD candidate Young Soo Jang, Booth’s Steve Kaplan, and Trier’s Anna Schulze.

Too Many 'Shadow Banks' Can Limit Overall Access to Credit

While go-betweens can benefit the broader economy by smoothing the flow of credit, there are now probably too many links in the credit chain, argue Zhiguo He and Jian Li (Booth PhD graduate).

A Network of Support

Chicago Booth is home to several interdisciplinary research centers that offer funding for student work, host workshops and conferences, and foster a strong research community.

Fama-Miller Center for Research in Finance Tasked with pushing the boundaries of research in finance, the Fama-Miller Center provides institutional structure and support for researchers in the field.

Becker Friedman Institute for Economics Bringing together researchers from the entire Chicago economics community, the Becker Friedman Institute fosters novel insights on the world’s most difficult economic problems.

Center for Research in Security Prices CRSP maintains one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive stock market databases. Since 1963, it has been a valued resource for businesses, government, and scholars.

Initiative on Global Markets Enhancing the understanding of business and financial market globalization, the IGM positions Chicago Booth as a thought leader in the understanding of ever-changing markets and improves financial and economic decision-making around the world.

George J. Stigler Center for the Study of the Economy and the State Dedicated to examining issues at the intersection of politics and the economy, the Stigler Center supports research by PhD students and others who are interested in the political, economic, and cultural obstacles to better working markets.

Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation Committed to making the world more equitable and sustainable, the Rustandy Center works to solve complex social and environmental problems. The center’s student support includes fellowships, research funding, and networking opportunities.

The PhD Experience at Booth

For Itzhak Ben-David, PhD ’08, the PhD Program in Finance was an exploratory journey.

Video Transcript

Itzhak Ben-David, ’08: 00:03 For me, the PhD Program was an exploratory journey. It was about discovering what was interesting for me, what will be interesting for other economists. It was about discovering something new about the world. Much of the PhD Program experience is to explore and to wonder a bit and to just think and expose yourself to new ideas and new disciplines. Back then, this was 2006, I found a billboard that said, "If you buy this house, we're going to give you a free car or $20,000 in cash." And this seemed really odd to me. What I realized that was going on, that this was part of a borrower fraud and the idea was that seller and the buyer will agree on a higher price on a house and the lender would be under the impression that the collateral worth more than it really is.

Itzhak Ben-David, ’08: 00:58 So I started to investigate other parts of the real estate food chain. What I saw is that in many parts of this chain, there were incentives in place pushing the intermediaries or the different economic agents to inflate prices. It's not always a bubble, but oftentimes it points out behavior that is not consistent with our textbook behavior. I had the dream team of advisors, Toby Moskowitz, Dick Taylor, Steve Levitt, and Erik Hurst. Each one of them contributed in different way to my dissertation and brought different ideas, brought different aspects. There is no better place of doing research than in Booth. It's really a hub of academic activity. There is no important work that doesn't pass at Chicago before being published. It's really an intellectual home. When you meet people and you know that they are from Booth, you can see the difference in their thinking.

Current Finance Students

PhD students in finance study a wide range of topics, including the behavior and determinants of security prices, the financing and investment decisions of firms, corporate governance, and the management and regulation of financial institutions. They go on to careers at prestigious institutions, from Yale University to the International Monetary Fund.

Current Students

Rahul Chauhan Ching-Tse Chen Aditya Dhar Mihir Gandhi  Huan (Bianca) He Agustin Hurtado Young Soo Jang Piotr Langer Jessica Li Edoardo Marchesi Rayhan Momin Lauren Mostrom Meichen Qian Francisco Ruela Sixun Tang Hui (Judy) Yue

Booth also offers joint degrees. Learn more about the current students in our Joint Program in Financial Economics .

Program Expectations and Requirements

The Stevens Program at Booth is a full-time program. Students generally complete the majority of coursework and examination requirements within the first two years of studies and begin work on their dissertation during the third year. For details, see General Examination Requirements by Area in the Stevens Program Guidebook below.

Download the 2023-2024 Guidebook!

• Browse by author
• Browse by year
• Departments
• History of Thought
• Advanced search
• Finance (74)

Wu, Yue (2024) Shareholder activism: the interactions between firm meetings and asset markets. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Chen, Jane Jingxuan (2023) Essays on communication and trading in financial markets. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Salarkia, Amirabas (2023) Essays in empirical asset pricing. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Tang, Bo (2022) Essays on FinTech and financial markets. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Täger, Matthias (2022) Constructing climate risk: how finance governs its relationship with the planet’s climate. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Yin, Xiang (2022) Essays in empirical corporate finance. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Pelosi, Marco (2022) Essays in financial economics. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Shi, Ran (2022) Essays in asset pricing. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Huang, Jiantao (2022) Essays in empirical asset pricing. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Chen, Juan (2022) Essays on corporate finance and governance. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Iwadate, Muneaki Bruce (2021) Essays in financial economics. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Yuan, Yue (2021) Essays on corporate finance under asymmetric information. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Risteska, Simona (2021) Essays on learning and information-processing in financial markets. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Nicolai, Francesco (2021) Essays in financial economics. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Pellicioli, Alberto (2021) Essays in financial economics. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Carella, Agnese (2021) Essays in household finance. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Hu, Zhongchen (2021) Essays on household finance, venture capital, and labor. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Todorov, Karamfil (2020) Essays in financial economics. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Core, Fabrizio (2020) Essays on entrepreneurship. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Wang, Su (2019) Essays in corporate finance. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Guo, Tengyu (James) (2019) Essays in factor-based investing. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Ryduchowska, Malgorzata Teresa (2019) Essays in empirical corporate finance. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Han, Yueyang (2019) Essays on information and frictions in financial markets. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Papadimitriou, Dimitris (2019) Essays in financial economics. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Ricca, Bernardo (2019) Essays in financial economics. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Kremens, Lukas (2019) Essays on foreign exchange risk. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Gorrín, Jesús (2018) Essays in empirical corporate finance. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Bretscher, Lorenzo (2018) Essays in macro finance. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Sabtchevsky, Petar Svilenov (2018) Three papers on asset pricing. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Obizhaeva, Olga A. (2017) Essays in financial economics. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Savic, Una (2017) Essays in financial intermediation. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Punz, Michael (2017) Essays on delegated portfolio management. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Seyedan, Seyed (2016) Essays in financial economics. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Zaccaria, Luana (2016) Essays in corporate finance. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Choi, Hoyong (2016) Essays on asset pricing. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Zhang, Cheng (2016) Essays on asset pricing. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Glebkin, Sergey (2016) Three essays in financial economics. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Shen, Ji (2015) Essays on asset pricing in over-the-counter markets. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Martinovic, Milan (2015) Venture capital investments, exits and post-IPO performance. MPhil thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Yan, Wen (2015) Essays on the term structures of bonds and equities. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Lu, Yiqing (2015) Essays on adaptation, innovation incentives and compensation structure. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Chen, Huaizhi (2015) Essays on empirical asset pricing. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Roulstone, Claire (2015) Inside the social world of a witness care unit: role-conflict and organisational ideology in a service. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

von Drathen, Christian (2014) Essays in empirical finance. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Dobrynskaya, Victoria (2014) Downside risk in stock and currency markets. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Kuong, John (2014) Essays in financial economics. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Huang, Shiyang (2014) Essays on information asymmetry in financial market. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Zhou, Ping (2014) Essays on credit risk. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Zeng, Jing (2014) Essays on financial intermediation. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Donaldson, Jason (2014) Essays in financial contract theory. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Zer Boudet, Ilknur (2013) Essays on financial economics. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Valenzuela Bravo, Marcela Andrea (2013) Essays on financial economics. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Piacentino, Giorgia (2013) Theories of the effects of delegated portfolio managers' incentives. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Costa Neto, Nelson (2012) Essays on information asymmetry and financial institutions. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Deb, Pragyan (2012) Essays on the impact of competition on financial intermediaries. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Yen, Yu-Min (2012) Three essays in financial econometrics. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Shang, Qi (2012) Essays in asset pricing and institutional investors. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Maurer, Thomas A. (2012) Is consumption growth only a sideshow in asset pricing?: asset pricing implications of demographic change and shocks to time preferences. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Teo, Terence (2012) Essays on disclosure of holdings by institutional investors. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Parida, Sitikantha (2012) Essays on delegated portfolio management. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Lew, Sean (2012) Essays on market microstructure. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Fardeau, Vincent (2011) Essays in financial economics. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Venter, György (2011) Essays on asymmetric information and trading constraints. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Wang, Yiyi (2011) Rational bubble, short-dated volatility forecasting and extract more from the volatility surface. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Anton Sancho, Miguel (2011) Three essays on the comovement of financial assets. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Liu, Zijun (2011) Essays in financial intermediation. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Garavito, Fabian (2010) Essays on delegated asset management. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Bena, Jan (2009) Essays on the interaction between financial development and real economy. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Lee, KeunJung (2009) Three essays on corporate governance in Korea. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Chen, Runquan (2009) Volatility and correlation in financial markets: Econometric modeling and empirical pricing. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Protopapa, Marco (2009) An essay in corporate finance: Managerial incentives, financial constraints and ownership concentration. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Afonso, Gara Minguez (2008) Liquidity, information and coordination in financial markets. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Reusch, Christian (2008) On the non-linear dynamics of financial market risk and liquidity. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Arcot, Sridhar Rao (2007) Essays in corporate finance. PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

Research Topics & Ideas: Finance

120+ Finance Research Topic Ideas To Fast-Track Your Project

If you’re just starting out exploring potential research topics for your finance-related dissertation, thesis or research project, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll help kickstart your research topic ideation process by providing a hearty list of finance-centric research topics and ideas.

PS – This is just the start…

We know it’s exciting to run through a list of research topics, but please keep in mind that this list is just a starting point . To develop a suitable education-related research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , and a viable plan of action to fill that gap.

If this sounds foreign to you, check out our free research topic webinar that explores how to find and refine a high-quality research topic, from scratch. Alternatively, if you’d like hands-on help, consider our 1-on-1 coaching service .

Overview: Finance Research Topics

• Corporate finance topics
• Investment banking topics
• Private equity & VC
• Asset management
• Hedge funds
• Financial planning & advisory
• Quantitative finance
• Treasury management
• Financial technology (FinTech)
• Commercial banking
• International finance

Corporate Finance

These research topic ideas explore a breadth of issues ranging from the examination of capital structure to the exploration of financial strategies in mergers and acquisitions.

• Evaluating the impact of capital structure on firm performance across different industries
• Assessing the effectiveness of financial management practices in emerging markets
• A comparative analysis of the cost of capital and financial structure in multinational corporations across different regulatory environments
• Examining how integrating sustainability and CSR initiatives affect a corporation’s financial performance and brand reputation
• Analysing how rigorous financial analysis informs strategic decisions and contributes to corporate growth
• Examining the relationship between corporate governance structures and financial performance
• A comparative analysis of financing strategies among mergers and acquisitions
• Evaluating the importance of financial transparency and its impact on investor relations and trust
• Investigating the role of financial flexibility in strategic investment decisions during economic downturns
• Investigating how different dividend policies affect shareholder value and the firm’s financial performance

Investment Banking

The list below presents a series of research topics exploring the multifaceted dimensions of investment banking, with a particular focus on its evolution following the 2008 financial crisis.

• Analysing the evolution and impact of regulatory frameworks in investment banking post-2008 financial crisis
• Investigating the challenges and opportunities associated with cross-border M&As facilitated by investment banks.
• Evaluating the role of investment banks in facilitating mergers and acquisitions in emerging markets
• Analysing the transformation brought about by digital technologies in the delivery of investment banking services and its effects on efficiency and client satisfaction.
• Evaluating the role of investment banks in promoting sustainable finance and the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria in investment decisions.
• Assessing the impact of technology on the efficiency and effectiveness of investment banking services
• Examining the effectiveness of investment banks in pricing and marketing IPOs, and the subsequent performance of these IPOs in the stock market.
• A comparative analysis of different risk management strategies employed by investment banks
• Examining the relationship between investment banking fees and corporate performance
• A comparative analysis of competitive strategies employed by leading investment banks and their impact on market share and profitability

Private Equity & Venture Capital (VC)

These research topic ideas are centred on venture capital and private equity investments, with a focus on their impact on technological startups, emerging technologies, and broader economic ecosystems.

• Investigating the determinants of successful venture capital investments in tech startups
• Analysing the trends and outcomes of venture capital funding in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, or clean energy
• Assessing the performance and return on investment of different exit strategies employed by venture capital firms
• Assessing the impact of private equity investments on the financial performance of SMEs
• Analysing the role of venture capital in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship
• Evaluating the exit strategies of private equity firms: A comparative analysis
• Exploring the ethical considerations in private equity and venture capital financing
• Investigating how private equity ownership influences operational efficiency and overall business performance
• Evaluating the effectiveness of corporate governance structures in companies backed by private equity investments
• Examining how the regulatory environment in different regions affects the operations, investments and performance of private equity and venture capital firms

Asset Management

This list includes a range of research topic ideas focused on asset management, probing into the effectiveness of various strategies, the integration of technology, and the alignment with ethical principles among other key dimensions.

• Analysing the effectiveness of different asset allocation strategies in diverse economic environments
• Analysing the methodologies and effectiveness of performance attribution in asset management firms
• Assessing the impact of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria on fund performance
• Examining the role of robo-advisors in modern asset management
• Evaluating how advancements in technology are reshaping portfolio management strategies within asset management firms
• Evaluating the performance persistence of mutual funds and hedge funds
• Investigating the long-term performance of portfolios managed with ethical or socially responsible investing principles
• Investigating the behavioural biases in individual and institutional investment decisions
• Examining the asset allocation strategies employed by pension funds and their impact on long-term fund performance
• Assessing the operational efficiency of asset management firms and its correlation with fund performance

Hedge Funds

Here we explore research topics related to hedge fund operations and strategies, including their implications on corporate governance, financial market stability, and regulatory compliance among other critical facets.

• Assessing the impact of hedge fund activism on corporate governance and financial performance
• Analysing the effectiveness and implications of market-neutral strategies employed by hedge funds
• Investigating how different fee structures impact the performance and investor attraction to hedge funds
• Evaluating the contribution of hedge funds to financial market liquidity and the implications for market stability
• Analysing the risk-return profile of hedge fund strategies during financial crises
• Evaluating the influence of regulatory changes on hedge fund operations and performance
• Examining the level of transparency and disclosure practices in the hedge fund industry and its impact on investor trust and regulatory compliance
• Assessing the contribution of hedge funds to systemic risk in financial markets, and the effectiveness of regulatory measures in mitigating such risks
• Examining the role of hedge funds in financial market stability
• Investigating the determinants of hedge fund success: A comparative analysis

Financial Planning and Advisory

This list explores various research topic ideas related to financial planning, focusing on the effects of financial literacy, the adoption of digital tools, taxation policies, and the role of financial advisors.

• Evaluating the impact of financial literacy on individual financial planning effectiveness
• Analysing how different taxation policies influence financial planning strategies among individuals and businesses
• Evaluating the effectiveness and user adoption of digital tools in modern financial planning practices
• Investigating the adequacy of long-term financial planning strategies in ensuring retirement security
• Assessing the role of financial education in shaping financial planning behaviour among different demographic groups
• Examining the impact of psychological biases on financial planning and decision-making, and strategies to mitigate these biases
• Assessing the behavioural factors influencing financial planning decisions
• Examining the role of financial advisors in managing retirement savings
• A comparative analysis of traditional versus robo-advisory in financial planning
• Investigating the ethics of financial advisory practices

The following list delves into research topics within the insurance sector, touching on the technological transformations, regulatory shifts, and evolving consumer behaviours among other pivotal aspects.

• Analysing the impact of technology adoption on insurance pricing and risk management
• Analysing the influence of Insurtech innovations on the competitive dynamics and consumer choices in insurance markets
• Investigating the factors affecting consumer behaviour in insurance product selection and the role of digital channels in influencing decisions
• Assessing the effect of regulatory changes on insurance product offerings
• Examining the determinants of insurance penetration in emerging markets
• Evaluating the operational efficiency of claims management processes in insurance companies and its impact on customer satisfaction
• Examining the evolution and effectiveness of risk assessment models used in insurance underwriting and their impact on pricing and coverage
• Evaluating the role of insurance in financial stability and economic development
• Investigating the impact of climate change on insurance models and products
• Exploring the challenges and opportunities in underwriting cyber insurance in the face of evolving cyber threats and regulations

Quantitative Finance

These topic ideas span the development of asset pricing models, evaluation of machine learning algorithms, and the exploration of ethical implications among other pivotal areas.

• Developing and testing new quantitative models for asset pricing
• Analysing the effectiveness and limitations of machine learning algorithms in predicting financial market movements
• Assessing the effectiveness of various risk management techniques in quantitative finance
• Evaluating the advancements in portfolio optimisation techniques and their impact on risk-adjusted returns
• Evaluating the impact of high-frequency trading on market efficiency and stability
• Investigating the influence of algorithmic trading strategies on market efficiency and liquidity
• Examining the risk parity approach in asset allocation and its effectiveness in different market conditions
• Examining the application of machine learning and artificial intelligence in quantitative financial analysis
• Investigating the ethical implications of quantitative financial innovations
• Assessing the profitability and market impact of statistical arbitrage strategies considering different market microstructures

Treasury Management

The following topic ideas explore treasury management, focusing on modernisation through technological advancements, the impact on firm liquidity, and the intertwined relationship with corporate governance among other crucial areas.

• Analysing the impact of treasury management practices on firm liquidity and profitability
• Analysing the role of automation in enhancing operational efficiency and strategic decision-making in treasury management
• Evaluating the effectiveness of various cash management strategies in multinational corporations
• Investigating the potential of blockchain technology in streamlining treasury operations and enhancing transparency
• Examining the role of treasury management in mitigating financial risks
• Evaluating the accuracy and effectiveness of various cash flow forecasting techniques employed in treasury management
• Assessing the impact of technological advancements on treasury management operations
• Examining the effectiveness of different foreign exchange risk management strategies employed by treasury managers in multinational corporations
• Assessing the impact of regulatory compliance requirements on the operational and strategic aspects of treasury management
• Investigating the relationship between treasury management and corporate governance

Financial Technology (FinTech)

The following research topic ideas explore the transformative potential of blockchain, the rise of open banking, and the burgeoning landscape of peer-to-peer lending among other focal areas.

• Evaluating the impact of blockchain technology on financial services
• Investigating the implications of open banking on consumer data privacy and financial services competition
• Assessing the role of FinTech in financial inclusion in emerging markets
• Analysing the role of peer-to-peer lending platforms in promoting financial inclusion and their impact on traditional banking systems
• Examining the cybersecurity challenges faced by FinTech firms and the regulatory measures to ensure data protection and financial stability
• Examining the regulatory challenges and opportunities in the FinTech ecosystem
• Assessing the impact of artificial intelligence on the delivery of financial services, customer experience, and operational efficiency within FinTech firms
• Analysing the adoption and impact of cryptocurrencies on traditional financial systems
• Investigating the determinants of success for FinTech startups

Commercial Banking

These topic ideas span commercial banking, encompassing digital transformation, support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and the evolving regulatory and competitive landscape among other key themes.

• Assessing the impact of digital transformation on commercial banking services and competitiveness
• Analysing the impact of digital transformation on customer experience and operational efficiency in commercial banking
• Evaluating the role of commercial banks in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
• Investigating the effectiveness of credit risk management practices and their impact on bank profitability and financial stability
• Examining the relationship between commercial banking practices and financial stability
• Evaluating the implications of open banking frameworks on the competitive landscape and service innovation in commercial banking
• Assessing how regulatory changes affect lending practices and risk appetite of commercial banks
• Examining how commercial banks are adapting their strategies in response to competition from FinTech firms and changing consumer preferences
• Analysing the impact of regulatory compliance on commercial banking operations
• Investigating the determinants of customer satisfaction and loyalty in commercial banking

International Finance

The folowing research topic ideas are centred around international finance and global economic dynamics, delving into aspects like exchange rate fluctuations, international financial regulations, and the role of international financial institutions among other pivotal areas.

• Analysing the determinants of exchange rate fluctuations and their impact on international trade
• Analysing the influence of global trade agreements on international financial flows and foreign direct investments
• Evaluating the effectiveness of international portfolio diversification strategies in mitigating risks and enhancing returns
• Evaluating the role of international financial institutions in global financial stability
• Investigating the role and implications of offshore financial centres on international financial stability and regulatory harmonisation
• Examining the impact of global financial crises on emerging market economies
• Examining the challenges and regulatory frameworks associated with cross-border banking operations
• Assessing the effectiveness of international financial regulations
• Investigating the challenges and opportunities of cross-border mergers and acquisitions

Choosing A Research Topic

These finance-related research topic ideas are starting points to guide your thinking. They are intentionally very broad and open-ended. By engaging with the currently literature in your field of interest, you’ll be able to narrow down your focus to a specific research gap .

When choosing a topic , you’ll need to take into account its originality, relevance, feasibility, and the resources you have at your disposal. Make sure to align your interest and expertise in the subject with your university program’s specific requirements. Always consult your academic advisor to ensure that your chosen topic not only meets the academic criteria but also provides a valuable contribution to the field. 

If you need a helping hand, feel free to check out our private coaching service here.

You Might Also Like:

thank you for suggest those topic, I want to ask you about the subjects related to the fintech, can i measure it and how?

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Print Friendly

Essays on Financial Markets and Monetary Policy

• Department of Finance

Research output : Book/Report › PhD thesis

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

• benjamin-knox-phd-series-15-2021 Final published version, 4.43 MB Licence: Unspecified
• Persistent link

T1 - Essays on Financial Markets and Monetary Policy

AU - Knox, Benjamin

N2 - This thesis concerns financial markets and monetary policy. It consists of three chapters on the topics of insurance pricing, asset pricing and the economic effects of monetary policy respectively. The chapters can be read independently.The first chapter considers the investment strategies of insurance companies and their impact on the pricing of insurance contracts. Our paper proposes and tests a new theory of insurance pricing, which we call “asset-driven insurance pricing”. Consistent with the theory, we show empirically that (1) insurers with more stable insurance funding take more investment risk and, therefore, earn higher average investment returns; (2) insurance premiums are lower when expected investment returns are higher, both in the cross section of insurance companies and in the time series. Our findings indicate that the assets and liabilities of insurance companies are more connected than previously thought.The second chapter presents a new decomposition approach for stock returns that is based on the sensitivity of the stock price with respect to expected returns and dividends at various horizons. Our method splits unexpected stock returns into news about cashflows and news about discount rates using observables. This decomposition, which is computed from the prices of traded financial products, avoids many of the model-implied assumptions associated with standard decomposition approaches. We apply our new decomposition in 2020, shedding light on the evolution of the return on US stocks during the COVID crisis.The third chapter considers the effects of monetary policy on the economy. I document rich heterogeneity in business cycles across U.S. states. As a result, state-level Taylor rules imply very different optimal monetary policies across states. To exploit the cross-sectional variation, I present a granular approach to monetary policy identification. The intuition behind the approach is that shocks to economic activity in one state can lead to changes in monetary policy, which are exogenous monetary policy shocks from the perspective of other states. I implement this approach in the United States and find large effects of monetary policy changes on future unemployment rates.

AB - This thesis concerns financial markets and monetary policy. It consists of three chapters on the topics of insurance pricing, asset pricing and the economic effects of monetary policy respectively. The chapters can be read independently.The first chapter considers the investment strategies of insurance companies and their impact on the pricing of insurance contracts. Our paper proposes and tests a new theory of insurance pricing, which we call “asset-driven insurance pricing”. Consistent with the theory, we show empirically that (1) insurers with more stable insurance funding take more investment risk and, therefore, earn higher average investment returns; (2) insurance premiums are lower when expected investment returns are higher, both in the cross section of insurance companies and in the time series. Our findings indicate that the assets and liabilities of insurance companies are more connected than previously thought.The second chapter presents a new decomposition approach for stock returns that is based on the sensitivity of the stock price with respect to expected returns and dividends at various horizons. Our method splits unexpected stock returns into news about cashflows and news about discount rates using observables. This decomposition, which is computed from the prices of traded financial products, avoids many of the model-implied assumptions associated with standard decomposition approaches. We apply our new decomposition in 2020, shedding light on the evolution of the return on US stocks during the COVID crisis.The third chapter considers the effects of monetary policy on the economy. I document rich heterogeneity in business cycles across U.S. states. As a result, state-level Taylor rules imply very different optimal monetary policies across states. To exploit the cross-sectional variation, I present a granular approach to monetary policy identification. The intuition behind the approach is that shocks to economic activity in one state can lead to changes in monetary policy, which are exogenous monetary policy shocks from the perspective of other states. I implement this approach in the United States and find large effects of monetary policy changes on future unemployment rates.

M3 - PhD thesis

SN - 9788775680061

T3 - PhD Series

BT - Essays on Financial Markets and Monetary Policy

PB - Copenhagen Business School [Phd]

CY - Frederiksberg

• Skip to main content
• Accessibility information

• Enlighten Enlighten

Enlighten Theses

• Latest Additions
• Browse by Year
• Browse by Subject
• Browse by College/School
• Browse by Author
• Browse by Funder
• Login (Library staff only)

In this section

Essays on international financial markets, firms’ capital structure and exporting decisions

Bose, Udichibarna (2016) Essays on international financial markets, firms’ capital structure and exporting decisions. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

International finance studies the dynamics in the areas such as international portfolio diversification, foreign investments, global financial systems, exchange rates, etc. This thesis brings together a set of chapters that summarises and synthesises varied areas of international finance maintaining a balance between the micro- and macro-level studies. This thesis is composed of three main empirical chapters contributing to varied aspects of international finance, mainly the areas of international portfolio diversification and home bias puzzle; development of bond markets and access to external finance; exchange rate uncertainties, output volatility and exports. Chapter 1 provides an outline and introduction of the thesis. Chapter 2 provides an extensive literature review on home-bias puzzle, explains the evolution and existence of home-bias puzzle, and gives various institutional and behavioural-based explanations which are considered as the main reasons for the existence of this puzzle. It discusses the advantages of international portfolio diversification and also the disadvantages of under-diversification in international portfolios. It gives a detailed empirical literature on the home bias puzzle and the relation between education and portfolio diversification. Further, this chapter empirically analyses a panel of 38 countries over a period of 2001-2010 to study the impact of different levels of education on home bias and international portfolio diversification. The results highlight that education is crucial in reducing equity home bias. After dividing the countries on the basis of their stock market capitalisation the results show that less developed countries with more university graduates have lower equity home bias. Finally, the results show that the benefits of education are larger during the recent financial crisis for the less financially developed economies. Chapter 3 provides a detailed analysis of the trends in Asian financial markets since the 1990s. It provides the main objectives of the Asian bond market policy initiatives. It also gives a detailed empirical literature of external finance, bond market development across the world and external finance-investment spending nexus. This chapter empirically analyses the impact of policy initiatives co-ordinated by Asian national governments on firms' access to external finance by using a unique firm-level database of eight Asian countries- Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand over the period of 1996-2012. Using difference-in-differences approach and controlling for firm-level and macroeconomic factors the results show a significant impact of policy on firms' access to external finance. After splitting firms into constrained and unconstrained, using several criteria, the results document that unconstrained firms benefited significantly in obtaining external finance as compared to their constrained counterparts. Finally, the results show that the increase in access to external finance, after the policy initiative, helped firms to raise their investment spending, especially for unconstrained firms. Chapter 4 focuses on how exporting decision of firms are affected by volatility at the macro and micro levels, using a rich dataset of UK manufacturing firms for the period of 1990-2009. The results show that both types of volatility have an adverse impact on firms’ real export sales. After taking into account firm-level heterogeneity, the results show that the negative impact of exchange rate and firm volatility on exports is higher for constrained firms as compared to unconstrained firms. Further, this chapter considers the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) crisis of early 1990s and the global financial crisis of 2008. The results indicate that during the ERM crisis constrained firms face a significant adverse impact of exchange rate volatility on exports, while the impact of firm-level volatility is mostly insignificant. On the contrary, during the global financial crisis, constrained firms face a significant negative impact of firm-level volatility on exports and an insignificant impact of exchange rate volatility on exports. Finally, Chapter 5 provides the conclusion of the thesis highlighting the contributions, implications and future research avenues of each empirical chapter.

Actions (login required)

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics

The University of Glasgow is a registered Scottish charity: Registration Number SC004401

• Browse All Articles
• Newsletter Sign-Up

FinancialMarkets →

No results found in working knowledge.

• Were any results found in one of the other content buckets on the left?
• Try removing some search filters.
• Use different search filters.

Stockholm Business School

Doctoral programme in finance.

Are you curious about how financial markets operate, how corporations make financial decisions, or how to manage risks in a portfolio? Are you interested in how financial markets can be made sustainable, or how societies can promote financial stability? Then you should consider the PhD in Finance.

What we offer:

• a world-class course program;
• a fully funded doctoral studentship with a competitive salary;
• a brand new campus close to the city centre as well as nature and recreation.

As a doctoral student you will undergo rigorous training in theory, method and analysis – through individual supervision, coursework, seminars and workshops. No doubt, you will also benefit from being part of an academic community where scholarly dialogue continues outside of the seminar room. Doctoral students are expected to complete their PhD in four years, with possible extension up to five years.

Research environment and research topic

SBS Finance is a highly international group of about twenty faculty members, post-docs, PhD students, and teaching assistants. The group hosts a weekly seminar series, where external as well as internal speakers present their academic research. There are also ad hoc academic events in the form of workshops and conferences.

Research topic

Financial economists study how scarce resources are allocated over time. Financial decisions differ from other allocation decisions in that their costs and revenues are spread over time and not known in advance. To implement their decisions, individuals, companies or other agents use the financial system. The system includes markets for stocks, bonds and other financial instruments, as well as financial intermediaries (such as banks and insurance companies), financial service companies (such as financial advisers) and the bodies that oversee and regulate the financial markets and institutions. The programme is open for thesis proposals on any topic related to Finance.

Current research that our faculty members work on are presented under Research projects in Finance.

Students interested in monetary policy and financial stability can choose to do a specialization in "Money and Finance". The specialization is provided by the Centre for Monetary Policy and Financial Stability (CeMoF), which is a joint venture between the Department of Economics, the Institute for International Economic Studies, and Stockholm Business School.

Read more about Centre for Monetary Policy and Financial Stability (CeMoF)

Programme structure, coursework and thesis

The doctoral programme in Finance comprises 240 higher education credits, or four years of full-time study. This consists of courses worth 105 credits and a dissertation worth 135 credits. The two parts can be followed simultaneously, but most of the course work is typically done during the first half of the study period. Many doctoral students also choose to teach during their studies, thereby extending their funding to up to five years.

The coursework includes mandatory courses in quantitative methods (15 credits) and finance (30 credits), as well as elective courses in fields closely related to finance (60 credits).

As a doctoral student in finance you can follow the course program offered by Stockholm Doctoral Program in Economics, Econometrics, and Finance (SDPE), which is a collaboration between Stockholm university and Stockholm School of Economics. Prior to the first semester, you are encouraged to participate in a Computational Bootcamp.

Read more about the course program offered by Stockholm Doctoral Program in Economics, Econometrics, and Finance (SDPE)

Read more about the Computational Bootcamp

For the electives, doctoral students in finance often take courses offered at the Swedish House of Finance and at partner universities in the Nordic Finance Network. Students choosing the "Money and Finance" specialization are required to take a course in Monetary Economics at Stockholm university.

Read more about courses offered at the Swedish House of Finance

Read more about courses at partner universities in the Nordic Finance Network

Read more about the course in Monetary Economics

The thesis is developed under the guidance of the supervisors. As a doctoral student at SBS you are assigned one or more supervisors from day one. As you progress with the thesis work you also get feedback at three “milestone seminars”: the thesis proposal seminar, the midway seminar, and the final script seminar. In addition, you are encouraged to present your work at conferences in Sweden and abroad. You are allocated a research budget to cover conference expenses.

At the end of the program, the thesis is assessed at the public dissertation defence. Doctoral theses in finance typically consist of three or more academic articles, of which at least one is solo-authored.

Employment / funding

When you are admitted to the PhD program, you typically also become employed by Stockholm university. The position takes the form of a temporary employment for a maximum of four years of full-time study, conditional on that the studies proceed according to plan. There is no tuition fee and you are paid a monthly salary . The entry level salary currently amounts to SEK 29 700 per month before taxes, increasing up to SEK 34 000 during the course of the program. The program requires you to be based in Sweden, with the main workplace being Stockholm Business School.

Each doctoral student is offered a research budget to cover expenses for courses, conferences, fieldwork, databases, and software. All employees at Stockholm university are also entitled to an annual sum of SEK 3 000 to cover expenses related to health and fitness activities.

Department duty

Many students also choose to teach during their PhD studies, but this is optional. You may take on departmental duty of up to 20% of full time each year, thereby extending your funding for the doctoral programme up to five years. In addition to teaching, the departmental duty may include research assistance and administrative tasks, such as assisting in the organization of academic events.

Application and admission

Eligibility.

Candidates for the doctoral programme in Finance at SBS must fulfil at least one of the following criteria:

• Completed an advanced level degree (master’s degree).
• Completed courses equivalent to at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits must be at master’s level.
• Acquired equivalent knowledge in another way, in Sweden or elsewhere.

In addition, the applicant must have successfully completed at least 90 credits in Finance, or equivalent, including a thesis comprising at least 15 credits. Admission to PhD positions is limited and competition for positions is usually tough.

Application

The general period of opening for PhD positions is in the month of January.

Apply for PhD position here, closing date Feb 1st 2024.

Selection criteria

Selection of applicants is made with respect to their ability to benefit from studies at doctoral level. This is assessed on basis of:

• performance in previous higher education studies
• performance in independent written reports and theses
• performance in standardized general knowledge examinations
• letters of recommendation

Short-listed candidates are called to an interview.

• Visiting address

Albanovägen 18, floor 6

Last updated: February 2, 2024

Source: SBS

Search among our courses and programmes

• Course Modules

Last updated: May 3, 2024

Study at Stockholm University

• Academic Writing Service
• Study and career counselling
• Studying with a disability
• Your rights and responsibilities
• Examination services
• Stockholm Student Health Services
• Study environment
• In an emergency
• Studenthuset and Infocenter
• Student unions
• Sporting activities on campus
• Places to study
• Computer places and printers
• Get access to wifi
• IT safety and security tips
• Software for students
• Digital tools and services
• Career events
• Find jobs and internships
• Tips for finding your career in Sweden
• Business and innovation support
• Visas and residence permits
• Swedish personal identity number
• Living costs
• Learning Swedish
• Step-by-step guide
• Entry requirements
• Costs, fees and scholarships
• Important dates
• Sweden’s higher education system
• FAQ and contact
• How to apply
• Select your courses
• Practicalities
• Our courses and programmes
• First-class education and research
• Discover Stockholm and Sweden
• Meet us online and around the world
• Hear from our alumni
• Students of Stockholm University
• Our researchers. Your teachers
• Study with us – the newsletter
• Pre-departure information
• Checklist for admitted students
• Welcome Activities
• Get access to IT services
• How to register
• Find your way on campus
• Q&A regarding the coronavirus
• Exchange studies
• Calls for application
• Short-term exchange
• Traineeship abroad
• Degree project abroad
• Application for a degree certificate
• Degree requirements
• Digital degree certificates
• Credit transfer
• Qualifications & degrees
• Stay in touch with us
• Alumni Mentorship Programme