For the timely detection of business-cycle turning points we suggest to use mediumsized linear systems (subset VARs with automated zero restrictions) to forecast the relevant underlying variables, and to derive the probability of the turning point from the forecast density as the probability...

Cogan et al. (2009, 2010) claim that the stimulus package passed by the United States Congress in February 2009 had a multiplier far below one. However, the stimulus ́multiplier strongly depends on the assumed monetary policy response. Based on official statements from the Fed chairman, the...

In diesem Papier wird an Hand eines Vektorfehlerkorrekturmodells (VECM) für den französischen Arbeitsmarkt untersucht, wie sich die dort Anfang 2000 eingeführte Verkürzung der Regelarbeitszeit in Verbindung mit Subventionen der Sozialversicherungsbeiträge ausgewirkt hat. Theoretisch sind...

We revisit the alleged retirement consumption puzzle. According to the life-cycle theory, foreseeable income reductions such as those around retirement should not affect consumption. However, we first recall that given higher leisure endowments after retirement, the theory does predict a fall of...

While recurring and regular variations of weather conditions are implicitly addressed by standard seasonal adjustment procedures of economic time series, extraordinary weather outcomes are not. We analyze their impact on German total industrial and construction-sector production and find modest...

We revisit the alleged retirement consumption puzzle. According to the life-cycle theory, foreseeable income reductions such as those around retirement should not affect consumption. However, we first recall that given higher leisure endowments after retirement, the theory does predict a fall of...

Die demografischen Entwicklungen der Mitgliedstaaten der Europäischen Union (EU) unterscheiden sich erheblich voneinander. Auf der Grundlage von UN-Bevölkerungsprognosen untersuchen wir, welche national differenzierten Renteneintrittsaltersgrenzen in einigen ausgewählten EU-Ländern in...

Eine der größten Herausforderungen für die Konjunkturforschung ist es, konjunkturelle Wendepunkte frühzeitig und zuverlässig zu erkennen. Die Datenlage in Echtzeit ist dabei grundsätzlich problematisch: Einerseits gibt es bei realwirtschaftlichen Indikatoren eine...