The art of valuation: Using visual analysis to price classical paintings by Swedish Masters.

This study seeks to address the difficulty of pricing art and the limitations of conventional valuation models by using visual analysis to determine the price of paintings. We examine a large hand-collected sample of classical paintings by Swedish Masters, categorize them based on various dimensions, and reduce measurement error by visually examining and classifying each painting into a theme. We compare this 'visual' approach with the conventional 'terminological' approach. We find that the technique, theme, and auction house all have a substantial impact on the price. We argue that a visual inspection should take precedence over analysis based on the artwork's title. This is because the latter leaves many artworks unclassified and results in a systematic bias. The study demonstrates the importance of using art-informed characteristics to reduce measurement error in pricing paintings.

Under his thumb the effect of president Donald Trump's Twitter messages on the US stock market.

Does president Trump's use of Twitter affect financial markets? The president frequently mentions companies in his tweets and, as such, tries to gain leverage over their behavior. We analyze the effect of president Trump's Twitter messages that specifically mention a company name on its stock market returns. We find that tweets from the president which reveal strong negative sentiment are followed by reduced market value of the company mentioned, whereas supportive tweets do not render a significant effect. Our methodology does not allow us to conclude about the exact mechanism behind these findings and can only be used to investigate short-term effects.

Leverage points in the financial sector for seafood sustainability.

Can finance contribute to seafood sustainability? This is an increasingly relevant question given the projected growth of seafood markets and the magnitude of social and environmental challenges associated with seafood production. As more capital enters the seafood industry, it becomes crucial that investments steer the sector toward improved sustainability, as opposed to fueling unsustainable working conditions and overexploitation of resources. Using a mixed-methods approach, we map where different financial mechanisms are most salient along a seafood firm's development trajectory and identify three leverage points that can redirect capital toward more sustainable practices: loan covenants, stock exchange listing rules, and shareholder activism. We argue that seafood sustainability requirements need to be integrated into traditional financial services and propose key research avenues for academic, policy, and practice communities. While our study focuses on the role of finance in seafood sustainability, the insights developed are also of high relevance to other extractive industries.

Why Finance Should Care about Ecology.

Finance ignores ecosystems, which has resulted in a growing list of environmental and social problems. In this article, the importance of ecology for finance is assessed. We suggest The piece also suggests that the financial intermediation perspective can align finance and ecology for the benefit of society. This requires that financial institutions account for information about the impact of finance on the environment and vice versa, and that they are held accountable by their supervisors in this domain.