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Combining VAR and DSGE forecast densities

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  • Wolden Bache, Ida
  • Sofie Jore, Anne
  • Mitchell, James
  • Vahey, Shaun P.

Abstract

A popular macroeconomic forecasting strategy utilizes many models to hedge against instabilities of unknown timing; see (among others) Stock and Watson (2004), Clark and McCracken (2010), and Jore et al. (2010). Existing studies of this forecasting strategy exclude dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) models, despite the widespread use of these models by monetary policymakers. In this paper, we use the linear opinion pool to combine inflation forecast densities from many vector autoregressions (VARs) and a policymaking DSGE model. The DSGE receives a substantial weight in the pool (at short horizons) provided the VAR components exclude structural breaks. In this case, the inflation forecast densities exhibit calibration failure. Allowing for structural breaks in the VARs reduces the weight on the DSGE considerably, but produces well-calibrated forecast densities for inflation.

Suggested Citation

  • Wolden Bache, Ida & Sofie Jore, Anne & Mitchell, James & Vahey, Shaun P., 2011. "Combining VAR and DSGE forecast densities," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 35(10), pages 1659-1670, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:dyncon:v:35:y:2011:i:10:p:1659-1670
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    1. DSGE models and forecasting
      by Christian Zimmermann in NEP-DGE blog on 2009-12-21 06:35:25

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    3. Gian Luigi Mazzi & James Mitchell & Gaetana Montana, 2014. "Density Nowcasts and Model Combination: Nowcasting Euro-Area GDP Growth over the 2008–09 Recession," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, Department of Economics, University of Oxford, vol. 76(2), pages 233-256, April.
    4. Maik H. Wolters, 2015. "Evaluating Point and Density Forecasts of DSGE Models," Journal of Applied Econometrics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(1), pages 74-96, January.
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    6. Raffaella Giacomini & Barbara Rossi, 2015. "Forecasting in Nonstationary Environments: What Works and What Doesn't in Reduced-Form and Structural Models," Annual Review of Economics, Annual Reviews, vol. 7(1), pages 207-229, August.
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    9. Knotek, Edward S. & Zaman, Saeed, 2023. "Real-time density nowcasts of US inflation: A model combination approach," International Journal of Forecasting, Elsevier, vol. 39(4), pages 1736-1760.
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    11. Knut Are Aastveit & Karsten R. Gerdrup & Anne Sofie Jore & Leif Anders Thorsrud, 2014. "Nowcasting GDP in Real Time: A Density Combination Approach," Journal of Business & Economic Statistics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 32(1), pages 48-68, January.
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    13. Karsten R. Gerdrup & Anne Sofie Jore & Christie Smith & Leif Anders Thorsrud, 2009. "Evaluating ensemble density combination - forecasting GDP and inflation," Working Paper 2009/19, Norges Bank.
    14. Fresoli, Diego & Ruiz, Esther & Pascual, Lorenzo, 2015. "Bootstrap multi-step forecasts of non-Gaussian VAR models," International Journal of Forecasting, Elsevier, vol. 31(3), pages 834-848.
    15. Valeriu Nalban, 2015. "Do Bayesian Vector Autoregressive models improve density forecasting accuracy? The case of the Czech Republic and Romania," International Journal of Economic Sciences, International Institute of Social and Economic Sciences, vol. 4(1), pages 60-74, March.
    16. Jakub Ryšánek, 2010. "Combining VAR Forecast Densities Using Fast Fourier Transform," Acta Oeconomica Pragensia, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2010(5), pages 72-88.
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    18. Diebold, Francis X. & Schorfheide, Frank & Shin, Minchul, 2017. "Real-time forecast evaluation of DSGE models with stochastic volatility," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 201(2), pages 322-332.
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    23. Hoornweg, V., 2013. "Some Tools for Robustifying Econometric Analyses," Econometric Institute Research Papers 50163, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Erasmus School of Economics (ESE), Econometric Institute.
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    25. Rossi, Barbara & Gürkaynak, Refet & Kısacıkoğlu, Burçin, 2013. "Do DSGE Models Forecast More Accurately Out-of-Sample than VAR Models?," CEPR Discussion Papers 9576, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Ensemble modeling Forecast densities Forecast evaluation VAR models DSGE models;

    JEL classification:

    • C32 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Time-Series Models; Dynamic Quantile Regressions; Dynamic Treatment Effect Models; Diffusion Processes; State Space Models
    • C53 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Forecasting and Prediction Models; Simulation Methods
    • E37 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Forecasting and Simulation: Models and Applications

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