We use a machine-learning approach known as Boosted Regression Trees (BRT) to reexamine the usefulness of selected leading indicators for predicting recessions. We estimate the BRT approach on German data and study the relative importance of the indicators and their marginal effects on the...

We use Bayesian additive regression trees (BART) to reexamine whether investments in precious metals are a hedge against exchange-rate movements. We control for the influence of stock-market fluctuations and other factors, we quantify the relative importance of several major exchange rates, and...