Apr 14
Many political analysts predict that the upcoming 2012 presidential nomination will be one of the hardest fought ever. Analysts are anticipating unprecedented amounts of money will be spent on both sides of the political aisle. To try to obtain your vote, both parties’ campaigns will likely use targeted advertisments. Research and statistical evidence shows that consumer behaviors can indicate …
Permanent link to this article: http://betweenthenumbers.net/2012/04/politicians-value-your-consumer-behaviors/
Permanent link to this article: http://betweenthenumbers.net/2012/03/the-quiet-surge-in-bond-prices/
Mar 24
On March 1, the American Institute for Economic Research (AIER) released a fascinating and helpful set of statistics regarding inflation. The study analyzes the popular and widely reported Consumer Price Index (CPI), and explains why it is incorrect. The CPI is published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) within the U.S. Department of Labor. …
Permanent link to this article: http://betweenthenumbers.net/2012/03/inflation-might-be-higher-than-the-government-is-publishing/
Mar 06
In California multiple (usually defense-oriented) articles are being published about the importance of a class action trail reversal in re: Duran v. US Bank National Association, California Court of Appeal, 1st Appellate Dist., (February 6, 2012). The articles incorrectly claim that statistical sampling cannot be used to prove liability in a class action case. The …
Permanent link to this article: http://betweenthenumbers.net/2012/03/duran-class-action-reversal-not-near-as-important-as-suggested/
Mar 04
This week’s cover story on Time Magazine argues that Latinos will choose the next president in 2012. One of the core reasons offered is that Latinos comprise sizeable minorities in key battleground states like Nevada, Arizona and Florida. I use the official Federal Commission report and US census data to explore whether Latinos are indeed …
Permanent link to this article: http://betweenthenumbers.net/2012/03/is-time-magazine-right-that-latinos-will-decide-this-years-election/
Feb 29
Regression analysis is a statistical technique that is commonly used in litigation because of its unique ability to ascertain both liability and damages. Specifically, litigation invariably involves questions of (i) whether event x caused event y, and (ii) if so, how much did y change because of x. As regression is used more frequently among …
Permanent link to this article: http://betweenthenumbers.net/2012/02/a-primer-on-regression-analysis/
Feb 24
The lockout shortened the NBA season by nearly two months while the number games was not proportionately reduced, resulting in a more compacted game schedule and shorter resting periods between games. Is it possible that the lack of rest equalizes the playing field (or court in this case) by rewarding young athleticism at the expense …
Permanent link to this article: http://betweenthenumbers.net/2012/02/is-the-nba-more-competitive-after-the-lockout/
Jan 31
When used with financial instruments, options are a contract between two parties in which one party has the right, but not the obligation, to do something. Usually, the option involves buying or selling an underlying asset. Having rights without obligations has financial value, so option holders must purchase these rights at a price, called a …
Permanent link to this article: http://betweenthenumbers.net/2012/01/a-primer-on-valuing-options/
Jan 17
In a recent report issued by Munich Re, a reinsurance group in Germany, 2011 was the costliest year in history for natural disasters with $380 billion in economic losses. Although some believe that global warming will continue to increase both the number and the extent of natural disasters, this report shows that 2011 was more about the geographic location, and less about the cause …
Permanent link to this article: http://betweenthenumbers.net/2012/01/natural-disasters-economic-losses-hit-record-high-in-2011/
Dec 26
The Great Recession officially began in December 2007. Exactly four years later, most agree that employment remains bleak. However, this general employment malaise is not felt as much in the government sector, particularly regarding federal government employment. The following graphs/charts show historical employment trends among sectors. In sum, the private sector undoubtedly faired worse than the government sector. The federal government’s employment has …
Permanent link to this article: http://betweenthenumbers.net/2011/12/four-years-after-the-beginning-of-the-great-recession-employment-pictures-shed-some-light/
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Mar 25
The Quiet Surge in Bond Prices
Commentary, Economics, Statistics
by Nicole Liska
March 25, 2012
Just recently, long term bond yields have been on the rise. Specifically, ten year Treasury bond yields just hit a five month high on Monday, March 19, 2012. (Late October 2011 was the last time it was higher.) Despite this recent yield hike, almost no one is talking about it. However, if this rising trend …
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