Interest Rate Manipulation, Environmental Damage, and Loss Valuation

Mark A. Yanochik, Risa Kumazawa

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The damage generated by Hurricane Katrina caused significant private as well as social costs. The water and force from the hurricane and subsequent flooding caused immediate property damage, but also potential environmental contamination over time. The decision on the part of property owners affected by Katrina to deal with damaged property must take into account both the private and social costs. This paper explores this decision making process using a real-options model. In particular, we focus on the element of time preference in this decision. We analyze the impact that changes in monetary policy, and ultimately the discount rate, have on the decision to repair or rebuild a property damaged by flooding. According to the theory, rising interest rates would suggest a greater propensity to defer the option to rebuild damaged properties, whereas falling interest rates cause property owners to reach the decision to rebuild properties relatively more quickly.

Original languageAmerican English
JournalJournal of Business Valuation and Economic Loss Analysis
Volume4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 15 2009

Keywords

  • Hurricane Katrina
  • loss evaluation
  • monetary policy

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