On the relationship between oil market and European stock returns.

This paper investigates the dynamic relationship between the oil market and European stock market returns using monthly data from May 2007 to April 2022 for 27 European Union member countries. A novel approach is adopted by using the time-varying Granger causality test and the structural vector auto-regression model to examine the causal links. Empirical results reveal strong evidence of time-varying causation between the variables, considering the oil market from both the supply-side and demand-side perspectives. In light of these findings, numerous policy considerations emerge, including refining risk management strategies for investors, reformulating economic and energy policies, the potential impact on monetary policy decisions, the need for ad hoc market regulations, facilitating investor education initiatives, promoting international cooperation, and advancing the transition to sustainable energy sources.

From COVID-19 vaccine candidates to compulsory vaccination: The attitudes of Italian citizens in the key 7-month of vaccination campaign.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study is to understand the evolution of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance over the key 7-month vaccine campaign in Italy, a period in which the country moved from candidate vaccines to products administered to the public. The research focus points to evaluate COVID-19 vaccine attitudes in adults and their children, propension towards compulsory vaccination, past and present adherence to anti-flu and anti-pneumococcal vaccines, and the reasons for trust/mistrust of vaccines. METHODS: Italian residents aged 16->65 years were invited to complete an online survey from September 2020 to April 2021. The survey contained 13 questions: 3 on demographic data; 8 on vaccine attitudes; and 2 open-ended questions about the reasons of vaccine confidence/refusal. A preliminary word frequency analysis has been conducted, as well as a statistical bivariate analysis. RESULTS: Of 21.537 participants, the confidence of those in favor of the COVID-19 vaccine increases of 50 % and the number of people who wanted more information decreases by two-third. Willingness to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 also increased from 51 % to 66.5 %. Only one-third of the strong vaccine-hesitant participants, i.e. 10 %, remained hostile. Compulsory vaccination showed a large and increasing favor by participants up to 78 %, in a way similar to their propensity for children's mandatory vaccination (70.6 %). Respondents' past and present adherence to anti-flu and anti-pneumococcal vaccines does not predict their intentions to vaccinate against COVID-19. Finally, a semantic analysis of the reasons of acceptance/refusal of COVID-19 vaccination suggests a complex decision-making process revealed by the participants' use of common words in pro-and-cons arguments. CONCLUSION: The heterogeneity in the COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, determinants and opinions detected at different ages, genders and pandemic phases suggests that health authorities should avoid one-size-fits-all vaccination campaigns. The results emphasize the long-term importance of reinforcing vaccine information, communication and education needs.