This paper describes a parameter estimation method for both stationary and non-stationary ARFIMA (p,d,q) models, based on autoregressive approximation. We demonstrate consistency of the estimator for -1/2 d 1, and in the stationary case we provide a Normal approximation to the finite-sample...

Using the tail index of returns on US equities as a summary measure of extreme behaviour, we examine changes in the equity markets surrounding the development of program trading for portfolio insurance, the crash of 1987, and the subsequent introduction of circuit breakers and other changes in...

The growth rates of real output and real investment are two macroeconomic time series which are particularly difficult to forecast. This paper considers the application of diffusion index forecasting models to this problem. We begin by characterizing the performance of standard forecasts, via...

Economists have traditionally relied on monthly or quarterly data supplied by central statistical agencies for macroeconomic monitoring. However, technological advances of the past several years have resulted in new high-frequency data sources that could potentially provide more accurate and...

Using realized volatility to estimate daily conditional volatility of financial returns, we compare forecasts of daily volatility from standard QML-estimated GARCH models, and from projections on past realized volatilities obtained from high-frequency data. We consider horizons extending to...

While the efficiency of economic arrangements is the primary focus of economic research, we may ask whether the efficiency improvements that have been experienced in the developed economies have been accompanied by increased vulnerability of output to catastrophic events. In order to address...

This paper applies new diagnostics to the Bank of England's pioneering density forecasts (fan charts). We compute their implicit probability forecast for annual rates of inflation and output growth that exceed a given threshold (in this case, the target inflation rate and 2.5% respectively.)...

Many non- and semi- parametric estimators have asymptotic properties that have been established under conditions that exclude the possibility of singular parts in the distribution. It is thus important to be able to test for absence of singularities. Methods of testing that focus on specific...

Understanding and measuring the relative roles of different causal channels between commodity prices and exchange rates has important implications in financial decision making, especially for market participants with short horizons. From a macroeconomic perspective, this can also be useful for...

We describe and assess the usefulness of a newly-constructed database of electronic payments, comprised of debit and credit card transactions as well cheques that clear through the banking system, as indicators of current GDP growth. Apart from capturing a broad range of spending activity, these...