Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/4134 
Year of Publication: 
2008
Series/Report no.: 
Kiel Working Paper No. 1397
Publisher: 
Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW), Kiel
Abstract: 
In this paper we analyze the power of various indicators to predict growth rates of aggregate production using real-time data. In addition, we assess their ability to predict turning points of the economy. We consider four groups of indicators: survey data, composite indicators, real economic indicators, and financial data. Almost all indicators are found to improve short-run growth forecasts whereas the results for four-quarter-ahead growth forecasts and the prediction of recession probabilities in general are mixed. We can confirm the result that an indicator suited to improve growth forecasts does not necessarily help to produce more accurate recession forecasts. Only composite leading indicators perform generally well in both forecasting exercises.
Subjects: 
leading indicators
forecasting
recessions
JEL: 
E37
C32
E32
C25
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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