We examine whether confidence indicators—and their underlying components—improve the forecasts of future economic activity. Using quarterly data from the Czech Republic in 1999–2011, we estimate a vector autoregression model of the Czech economy (consisting of several commonly used...

We examine how written and oral central bank communications affect the level and volatility of interest rates. We use detailed daily data on the Czech central bank’s communication in 2007–2012. We find that financial markets respond to central bank communication. Short-term interest rates...

We examine the information content of U.S. Fed voting records under the Greenspan chairmanship. We find that the voting records of FOMC members, as captured by the difference between the average voted-for and actually implemented policy rate, signal the future course of monetary policy. The...