Quantec news

Announcing the release of Stata 11

It is our pleasure to announce the release of Stata 11.

Stata 11 adds many new features such as multiple imputation, factor variables, generalized method of moments (GMM), competing-risks regression, state-space modeling, predictive margins, a Variables Manager, and more. Find out more about these features at New in Stata 11. more...

Announcing @RISK 5.5 and DecisionTools Suite 5.5

Building on the worldwide success of @RISK 5.0 and DecisionTools Suite 5.0, Palisade is pleased to announce the version 5.5 release of these best-selling risk and decision analysis tools.

Current @RISK 5.0 users will benefit from faster simulations — 2x to a remarkable 20x times faster than before — as well as new scatter plots from scenario analyses, a freehand distribution artist, and an Excel-style Insert Function dialog and graphs. @RISK 5.5 brings a range of new features to improve your analysis, save time, and encourage systematic adoption of risk analysis across your organization.

@RISK 5.5 is the best Monte Carlo simulation package available today, blending high-powered analysis with highly intuitive ease-of-use. The bottom line for you is a better understanding of what could happen and how likely it is to happen.

Find out what's new in @Risk 5.5 more...

EIU Special Report: Globalisation stalled

The economic downturn has brought to light some stark market failures, but it is also eroding support for principles that have underpinned an extraordinary period of business expansion. As a result, a longstanding trend of improving business conditions is being brought to a halt, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit's Business Environment Rankings model.

Read the full report on eiu.com for free.

Of the four Sub-Sharan African countries covered by the EIU's model, South Africa has by far the most attractive business environment. However, the quality of its business environment deteriorates in 2009-13 and its global ranking slips by six places from 45th in 2004-08 to 51st in 2009-13, owing to a worsening macroeconomic environment, lower capital inflows and weakening market opportunities. The return of another African National Congress government in April 2009 implies policy continuity. Policymakers will continue to improvise in response to events, thereby contributing to investors' wariness about South Africa. As in many other countries, the present crisis will necessitate a rethink of some infrastructure development plans. more...