Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/30735 
Year of Publication: 
2010
Series/Report no.: 
CESifo Working Paper No. 2936
Publisher: 
Center for Economic Studies and ifo Institute (CESifo), Munich
Abstract: 
Business cycle indicators are used to assess the economic situation of countries or regions. They are closely watched by the public, but are not easy to interpret. Does a current movement of the indicator signal a turning point or not? With the help of Markov Switching Models movements of indicators can be transformed in probability statements. In this article, the most important leading indicator of the German business cycle, the Ifo Business Climate, is described by a Markov Switching Model. Real-time probabilities for the current business-cycle regime are derived and presented in an innovative way: as the Ifo traffic lights.
Subjects: 
Ifo business climate
growth cycle
turning points
Markov-switching
JEL: 
E32
C22
Document Type: 
Working Paper
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