Interpretability and explainability methods for tree-based ensemble models: theoretical developments and economic applications

This project explores how heterogeneity in investor preferences and beliefs, particularly in relation to sustainability and political ideology, shape asset prices, expected returns, and firm financing decisions. The key research question is whether firms with clear political leaningsunderperform politically neutral firms and whether such return differential stems from ideologically motivated institutional investors. A related research question is whether a causal greenium can be identified in equity markets by leveraging close-call shareholder votes and optionimplied expected returns, and whether greenness demand is present in corporate bond markets to quantify its impact on prices, issuance volumes, and investment decisions