Market Depth, Leverage, and Speculative Bubbles

Zeno Enders and Hendrik Hakenes

No 6806, CESifo Working Paper Series from CESifo

Abstract: We develop a model of rational bubbles based on leverage and the assumption of an imprecisely known maximum market size. In a bubble, traders push the asset price above its fundamental value in a dynamic way, driven by rational expectations about future price developments. At a previously unknown date, the bubble will endogenously burst. Households optimally decide whether to lend to traders with limited liability. Bubbles increase welfare of the initial asset holders, but reduce welfare of future households. We provide general conditions for the possibility of bubbles depending on uncertainty about market size, traders’ degree of leverage and the risk-free rate. This allows us to discuss several policy measures. Capital requirements and a correctly implemented Tobin tax can prevent bubbles. Implemented incorrectly, however, these measures may create the possibility of bubbles and can reduce welfare.

Keywords: bubbles; rational expectations; market size; liquidity; financial crises; leveraged investment; capital structure (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: E44 G01 G12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-mac
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Related works:
Journal Article: Market Depth, Leverage, and Speculative Bubbles (2021)
Working Paper: Market Depth, Leverage, and Speculative Bubbles (2021)
Working Paper: Market Depth, Leverage, and Speculative Bubbles (2021)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ces:ceswps:_6806

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