We assess point and density forecasts from a mixed-frequency vector autoregression (VAR) to obtain intra-quarter forecasts of output growth as new information becomes available. The econometric model is specified at the lowest sampling frequency; high frequency observations are treated as...

We nowcast and forecast Austrian economic activity, namely real gross domestic product (GDP), consumption and investment, which are available at a quarterly frequency. While nowcasting uses data up to (and including) the quarter to be predicted, forecasting uses only data up to the previous...

Evaluation methodologies for rare events from meteorology, psychology and medical diagnosis are used to examine the value of probability forecasts of real GDP declines during the current (Q0) and each of the next four quarters (Q1-Q4) using data from the Survey of Professional Forecasters. We...

A vector time series model of the form A(L)y(t)+B(L)x(t)=e(t), is known as a vector autoregressive model with exogenous variables (VARX model) and involves a regressand vector y(t) and a regressor vector x(t). This chapter provides a method for the recursive fitting of subset VARX models. It...

This chapter uses a modified block Choleski decomposition method and tree pruning algorithms to attain the best multivariate subset autoregression for each size (number of non-zero coefficient matrices). Model selection criteria are then employed to select the optimum multivariate subset AR. A...

This chapter examines the problems of dealing with trending type data when there is uncertainty over whether or not we really have unit roots in the data. This uncertainty is practical – for many macroeconomic and financial variables theory does not imply a unit root in the data however unit...

In this paper we investigate the relevance of considering a large number of macroeconomic indicators to forecast the complete distribution of a variable. The baseline time series model is a semi-parametric specification based on the Quantile Auto-Regressive (QAR) model that assumes that the...

The paper develops an oil price forecasting technique which is based on the present value model of rational commodity pricing. The approach suggests shifting the forecasting problem to the marginal convenience yield which can be derived from the cost-of-carry relationship. In a recursive...

The paper develops an oil price forecasting technique which is based on the present value model of rational commodity pricing. The approach suggests shifting the forecasting problem to the marginal convenience yield which can be derived from the cost-of-carry relationship. In a recursive...