http://repub.eur.nl/res/concept/jel-E3/ Recent publications classified by JEL Code E3 en http://repub.eur.nl/static-eur/img/logo.png http://repub.eur.nl http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/39842/ 2013-04-11T00:00:00Z We quantify the causal effect of foreign investment on total factor productivity (TFP) using a new global firm-level database. Our identification strategy relies on exploiting the difference in the amount of foreign investment by financial and industrial investors and simultaneously controlling for unobservable firm and country-sector-year factors. Using our well identified firm level estimates for the direct effect of foreign ownership on acquired firms and for the spillover effects on domestic firms, we calculate the aggregate impact of foreign investment on country-level productivity growth and find it to be very small. Fons-Rosen, C. Kalemli-Ozcan, S. Sorensen, B.E. Villegas-Sanchez, C. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/39840/ 2013-04-08T00:00:00Z This paper presents the Matlab package DeCo (Density Combination) which is based on the paper by Billio et al. (2013) where a constructive Bayesian approach is presented for combining predictive densities originating from different models or other sources of information. The combination weights are time-varying and may depend on past predictive forecasting performances and other learning mechanisms. The core algorithm is the function DeCo which applies banks of parallel Sequential Monte Carlo algorithms to filter the time-varying combination weights. The DeCo procedure has been implemented both for standard CPU computing and for Graphical Process Unit (GPU) parallel computing. For the GPU implementation we use the Matlab parallel computing toolbox and show how to use General Purposes GPU computing almost effortless. This GPU implementation comes with a speed up of the execution time up to seventy times compared to a standard CPU Matlab implementation on a multicore CPU. We show the use of the package and the computational gain of the GPU version, through some simulation experiments and empirical applications. Casarin, R. Grassi, S. Ravazzolo, F. Dijk, H.K. van http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/38219/ 2012-12-10T00:00:00Z We investigate the cyclicality of the private savings to GDP ratio for a panel of 19 OECD countries over the period 1971-2009. We find robust evidence that the private savings ratio is countercyclical. Three theories unambiguously predict a higher private savings ratio during recessions: a Ricardian offset effect, the presence of credit constraints, and precautionary savings. We find evidence only for the latter theory. Our estimations take into account a large number of econometric complications: persistence in the savings ratio, endogeneity of the regressors, cross-country parameter heterogeneity, cross-sectional dependence, stationarity issues, omitted variables, and instrument strength. Adema, Y. Pozzi, L.C.G. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/38747/ 2012-12-01T00:00:00Z Changing time series properties of US inflation and economic activity are analyzed within a class of extended Phillips Curve (PC) models. First, the misspecification effects of mechanical removal of low frequency movements of these series on posterior inference of a basic PC model are analyzed using a Bayesian simulation based approach. Next, structural time series models that describe changing patterns in low and high frequencies and backward as well as forward inflation expectation mechanisms are incorporated in the class of extended PC models. Empirical results indicate that the proposed models compare favorably with existing Bayesian Vector Autoregressive and Stochastic Volatility models in terms of fit and predictive performance. Weak identification and dynamic persistence appear less important when time varying dynamics of high and low frequencies are carefully modeled. Modeling inflation expectations using survey data and adding level shifts and stochastic volatility improves substantially in sample fit and out of sample predictions. No evidence is found of a long run stable cointegration relation between US inflation and marginal costs. Tails of the complete predictive distributions indicate an increase in the probability of disinflation in recent years. Basturk, N. Cakmakli, C. Ceyhan, P. Dijk, H.K. van http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/38198/ 2012-10-29T00:00:00Z We propose a Bayesian combination approach for multivariate predictive densities which relies upon a distributional state space representation of the combination weights. Several specifications of multivariate time-varying weights are introduced with a particular focus on weight dynamics driven by the past performance of the predictive densities and the use of learning mechanisms. In the proposed approach the model set can be incomplete, meaning that all models can be individually misspecified. A Sequential Monte Carlo method is proposed to approximate the filtering and predictive densities. The combination approach is assessed using statistical and utility-based performance measures for evaluating density forecasts. Simulation results indicate that, for a set of linear autoregressive models, the combination strategy is successful in selecting, with probability close to one, the true model when the model set is complete and it is able to detect parameter instability when the model set includes the true model that has generated subsamples of data. For the macro series we find that incompleteness of the models is relatively large in the 70's, the beginning of the 80's and during the recent financial crisis, and lower during the Great Moderation. With respect to returns of the S&P 500 series, we find that an investment strategy using a combination of predictions from professional forecasters and from a white noise model puts more weight on the white noise model in the beginning of the 90's and switches to giving more weight to the professional forecasts over time. Billio, M. Casarin, R. Ravazzolo, F. Dijk, H.K. van http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/38197/ 2012-10-24T00:00:00Z This paper develops a general-equilibrium model of skill-biased technological change that approximates the observed shifts in the shares of wage and non-wage income going to the top decile of U.S. households since 1980. Under realistic assumptions, we find that all agents can benefit from the technology change, provided that the observed rise in redistributive transfers over this period is taken into account. We show that the increase in capital’s share of total income and the presence of capital-entrepreneurial skill complementarity are two key features that help support the wages of ordinary workers as the new technology diffuses Lansing, K.J. Markiewicz, A. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/30684/ 2011-11-30T00:00:00Z We propose a multivariate combination approach to prediction based on a distributional state space representation of the weights belonging to a set of Bayesian predictive densities which have been obtained from alternative models. Several specifications of multivariate time-varying weights are introduced with a particular focus on weight dynamics driven by the past performance of the predictive densities and the use of learning mechanisms. In the proposed approach the model set can be incomplete, meaning that all models are individually misspecified. The approach is assessed using statistical and utility-based performance measures for evaluating density forecasts of US macroeconomic time series and surveys of stock market prices. For the macro series we find that incompleteness of the models is relatively large in the 70's, the beginning of the 80's and during the recent financial crisis; structural changes like the Great Moderation are empirically identified by our model combination and the predicted probabilities of recession accurately compare with the NBER business cycle dating. Model weights have substantial uncertainty attached and neglecting this may seriously affect results. With respect to returns of the S&P 500 series, we find that an investment strategy using a combination of predictions from professional forecasters and from a white noise model puts more weight on the white noise model in the beginning of the 90's and switches to giving more weight to the left tail of the professional forecasts during the start of the financial crisis around 2008. Billio, M. Casarin, R. Ravazzolo, F. Dijk, H.K. van http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/26792/ 2011-10-14T00:00:00Z Using a unique dataset collected through a well-established survey, which was carried out in China, we examine whether Chinese individuals are prone to money illusion. In contrast to the outcomes for US individuals, we find that the Chinese are more likely to base decisions on the real monetary value of economic transactions. We put these observed differences in findings in perspective by comparing the economic conditions in the US and China. Mees, H. Franses, Ph.H.B.F. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/26863/ 2011-10-01T00:00:00Z This paper examines whether the Conference Board's Leading Economic Index (LEI) can be used for modeling and forecasting a more refined business cycle classification beyond the usual distinction between expansions and contractions. Univariate Markov-switching models for monthly coincident variables and the LEI show that a three regime model is more appropriate than a model with only two regimes. Interestingly, the third regime captures `severe recessions' contrasting the conventional view that the additional third regime represents a 'recovery' phase. This is confirmed by means of Markov-switching vector autoregressive models that allow for phase shifts between the cyclical regimes of LEI and industrial production. Results indicate that a three regime model with a severe recession phase describes the cyclical dynamics in these series better than a two regime model (with only recession and expansion regimes) and a three regime model with a recovery phase. T he timing of the third regime mostly corresponds with periods of substantial credit squeezes and dramatic increases in the default spread as in the recent recession of 2007-2009. These findings provide empirical evidence for the theory of 'financial accelerator'. The severe recession regime of the LEI leads that of IP by 6.5 months whereas for mild recessions this lead time increases to one year. Cakmakli, C. Paap, R. Dijk, D.J.C. van http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/26088/ 2011-09-01T00:00:00Z We use panel estimates of regional Phillips curves of the hybrid New Keynesian type to study price level convergence within the US and EMU. Regional inflation rates tend to eliminate PPP deviations in both monetary unions, with average half-lives around 3 1/2 years. The start of EMU did not greatly affect PPP reversion in the euro area. Where changes in nominal exchange rates accounted for the bulk of the adjustment process before 1999, this role was largely taken over by regional inflation differences since. Notwithstanding clear evidence of forward-lookingness in the US, inflation persistence is substantial in both monetary unions. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/37309/ 2011-07-19T00:00:00Z We find new empirical regularities in the business cycle in a cross-country panel of 22 OECD countries for the period 1972-2007; entrepreneurship Granger-causes the cycles of the world economy. Furthermore, the entrepreneurial cycle is positively affected by the national unemployment cycle. We discuss possible causes and implications of these findings. Koellinger, Ph.D. Thurik, A.R. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/23785/ 2011-06-30T00:00:00Z It is common practice to evaluate fixed-event forecast revisions in macroeconomics by regressing current revisions on one-period lagged revisions. Under weak-form efficiency, the correlation between the current and one-period lagged revisions should be zero. The empirical findings in the literature suggest that the null hypothesis of zero correlation between the current and one-period lagged revisions is rejected quite frequently, where the correlation can be either positive or negative. In this paper we propose a methodology to be able to interpret such non-zero correlations in a straightforward manner. Our approach is based on the assumption that forecasts can be decomposed into both an econometric model and expert intuition. The interpretation of the sign of the correlation between the current and one-period lagged revisions depends on the process governing intuition, and the correlation between intuition and news. Franses, Ph.H.B.F. Chang, C.L. McAleer, M.J. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/23459/ 2011-05-02T00:00:00Z We summarize the general combination approach by Billio et al. [2010]. In the combination model the weights follow logistic autoregressive processes, change over time and their dynamics are possible driven by the past forecasting performances of the predictive densities. For illustrative purposes we apply it to combine White Noise and GARCH models to forecast the Amsterdam Exchange index and use the combined predictive forecasts in an investment asset allocation exercise. Billio, M. Casarin, R. Ravazzolo, F. Dijk, H.K. van http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/22330/ 2011-01-04T00:00:00Z Using a Bayesian framework this paper provides a multivariate combination approach to prediction based on a distributional state space representation of predictive densities from alternative models. In the proposed approach the model set can be incomplete. Several multivariate time-varying combination strategies are introduced. In particular, a weight dynamics driven by the past performance of the predictive densities is considered and the use of learning mechanisms. The approach is assessed using statistical and utility-based performance measures for evaluating density forecasts of US macroeconomic time series and of surveys of stock market prices. Billio, M. Casarin, R. Ravazzolo, F. Dijk, H.K. van http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/21944/ 2010-12-22T00:00:00Z Macroeconomic forecasts are often based on the interaction between econometric models and experts. A forecast that is based only on an econometric model is replicable and may be unbiased, whereas a forecast that is not based only on an econometric model, but also incorporates an expert’s touch, is non-replicable and is typically biased. In this paper we propose a methodology to analyze the qualities of combined non-replicable forecasts. One part of the methodology seeks to retrieve a replicable component from the non-replicable forecasts, and compares this component against the actual data. A second part modifies the estimation routine due to the assumption that the difference between a replicable and a non-replicable forecast involves a measurement error. An empirical example to forecast economic fundamentals for Taiwan shows the relevance of the methodological approach. Chang, C.L. Franses, Ph.H.B.F. McAleer, M.J. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/21398/ 2010-10-01T00:00:00Z This paper investigates the international spillovers of government debt and the associated risk of inflation within a monetary union when countries have different pension systems. I use a stochastic two-country two-period overlapping-generations model, where one country has PAYG pensions and the other country has funded pensions. The paper shows that the PAYG country can shift part of its long-term debt burden to the funded country. Moreover, the PAYG country gains from unexpected inflation at the cost of the funded country. In response to these conflicting interests about inflation, inflation risk may rise with the level of debt in the PAYG country. Higher inflation risk harms both countries. Actually, in contrast to the debt burden, the PAYG country cannot share the negative effects of a rise in inflation risk with the funded country. The scenarios analysed might be especially relevant for the years to come. Adema, Y. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/20748/ 2010-09-01T00:00:00Z The dynamic properties of micro based stochastic macro models are often analyzed through a linearization around the associated deterministic steady state. Recent literature has investigated the error made by such a deterministic approximation. Complementary to this literature we investigate how the linearization affects the stochastic properties of the original model. We consider a simple real business cycle model with noisy learning by doing. The solution has a stationary distribution that exhibits moment failure and has an unbounded support. The linear approximation, however, yields a stationary distribution with possibly a bounded support and all moments finite. Babus, A.M. Vries, C.G. de http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/20156/ 2010-07-28T00:00:00Z Macro-economic forecasts are often based on the interaction between econometric models and experts. A forecast that is based only on an econometric model is replicable and may be unbiased, whereas a forecast that is not based only on an econometric model, but also incorporates an expert’s touch, is non-replicable and is typically biased. In this paper we propose a methodology to analyze the qualities of combined non-replicable forecasts. One part of the methodology seeks to retrieve a replicable component from the non-replicable forecasts, and compares this component against the actual data. A second part modifies the estimation routine due to the assumption that the difference between a replicable and a non-replicable forecast involves a measurement error. An empirical example to forecast economic fundamentals for Taiwan shows the relevance of the methodological approach. Chang, C.L. McAleer, M.J. Franses, Ph.H.B.F. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/19358/ 2010-04-29T00:00:00Z Macro-economic forecasts typically involve both a model component, which is replicable, as well as intuition, which is non-replicable. Intuition is expert knowledge possessed by a forecaster. If forecast updates are progressive, forecast updates should become more accurate, on average, as the actual value is approached. Otherwise, forecast updates would be neutral. The paper proposes a methodology to test whether forecast updates are progressive and whether econometric models are useful in updating forecasts. The data set for the empirical analysis are for Taiwan, where we have three decades of quarterly data available of forecasts and updates of the inflation rate and real GDP growth rate. The actual series for both the inflation rate and the real GDP growth rate are always released by the government one quarter after the release of the revised forecast, and the actual values are not revised after they have been released. Our empirical results suggest that the forecast updates for Taiwan are progressive, and can be explained predominantly by intuition. Additionally, the one-, two- and three-quarter forecast errors are predictable using publicly available information for both the inflation rate and real GDP growth rate, which suggests that the forecasts can be improved. Chang, C.L. Franses, Ph.H.B.F. McAleer, M.J. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/18604/ 2010-03-30T00:00:00Z Macroeconomic forecasts are frequently produced, published, discussed and used. The formal evaluation of such forecasts has a long research history. Recently, a new angle to the evaluation of forecasts has been addressed, and in this review we analyse some recent developments from that perspective. The literature on forecast evaluation predominantly assumes that macroeconomic forecasts are generated from econometric models. In practice, however, most macroeconomic forecasts, such as those from the IMF, World Bank, OECD, Federal Reserve Board, Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) and the ECB, are based on econometric model forecasts as well as on human intuition. This seemingly inevitable combination renders most of these forecasts biased and, as such, their evaluation becomes non-standard. In this review, we consider the evaluation of two forecasts in which: (i) the two forecasts are generated from two distinct econometric models; (ii) one forecast is generated from an econometric model and the other is obtained as a combination of a model, the other forecast, and intuition; and (iii) the two forecasts are generated from two distinct combinations of different models and intuition. It is shown that alternative tools are needed to compare and evaluate the forecasts in each of these three situations. These alternative techniques are illustrated by comparing the forecasts from the Federal Reserve Board and the FOMC on inflation, unemployment and real GDP growth Franses, Ph.H.B.F. McAleer, M.J. Legerstee, R.