This paper compares the "simple-sum" monetary aggregates (M1 and M2) published by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) with the new monetary aggregates (D1 and D2)-known as the Divisia monetary indexes. The former aggregates are constructed from a simple accounting identity, whereas the...

This paper compares the "simple-sum" monetary aggregates (M1 and M2) published by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) with the new monetary aggregates (D1 and D2)-known as the Divisia monetary indexes. The former aggregates are constructed from a simple accounting identity, whereas the...

This paper compares the different dynamics of the simple sum monetary aggregates and the Divisia monetary aggregate indexes over time, over the business cycle, and across high and low inflation and interest rate phases. Although traditional comparisons of the series sometimes suggest that simple...

The current financial crisis followed the “great moderation,” according to which the world’s central banks had gotten so good at countercyclical policy that the business cycle no longer existed. As more and more economists and media people became convinced that the risk of recessions had...

This paper explores the disconnect of Federal Reserve data from index number theory. A consequence could have been the decreased systemic-risk misperceptions that contributed to excess risk taking prior to the housing bust. We find that most recessions in the past 50 years were preceded by more...

An independent institute for monetary statistics is needed in the United States. Expanded Congressional audit would be a second best alternative, but would not fully address the needs and would carry risks.