Many researchers use GARCH models to generate volatility forecasts. We show, however, that such forecasts are too variable. To correct for this, we extend the GARCH model by distinguishing two regimes with different volatility levels. GARCH effects are allowed within each regime, so that our...

Most economists intuitively consider purchasing power parity (PPP) to be true. Nevertheless, quite surprisingly, the empirical literature is not very supportive for PPP. In this paper, however, we find evidence in favor of PPP using a new test. The test is embedded in a Markov regime-switching...

We propose a method to forecast the winner of a tennis match, not only at the beginning of the match, but also (and in particular) during the match.The method is based on a fast and exible computer program TENNISPROB, and on a statistical analysis of a large data set from Wimbledon, both at...

The question whether exchange rate risk a¤ects trade has received considerable attention in the literature. However, the conclusions are still mixed. This paper analyzes why it is so difficult to obtain a clear answer from time series analyses. We use data on bilateral aggregate US exports to...

We analyze the time-dependence of exchange rate correlations using a new multivariate GARCH model. This model consists of two parts. First, we transform the exchange rate changes into their principal components and specify univariate GARCH models for all components. Second, we use the inverse of...

In this paper we investigate the truth (more often the untruth) of seventeen commonly heard statements about tennis.We base our analysis on point-by-point data of almost 500 singles matches played at Wimbledon, 1992-1995.The seventeen hypotheses under consideration are: 1 A player is as good as...

The random walk is often used to model exchange rates. According to the Lucas critique, however, policy shifts may lead to breaks in the trend of exchange rates and hence to long swings. We use a Markov regime-switching model to allow for such swings and we reject the random walk in favor of the...

The journal Computational Statistics and Data Analysis aims to have regular issues on computational econometrics. Of particular interest are papers in important areas of econometric applications where both computational techniques and numerical methods have a major impact. The goal is to provide...

We present a Bayesian estimation method applied to an extended set of national accounts data and estimates of approximately 2500 variables. The method is based on conventional national accounts frameworks as compiled by countries in Central America, in particular Guatemala, and on concepts that...