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A machine learning approach to construct quarterly data on intangible investment for Eurozone

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  • Alexopoulos, Angelos
  • Varthalitis, Petros

Abstract

We develop a novel approach to construct quarterly time series data for annually measured intangible investment variables. We accomplish this by using machine learning methods to explore the relationship between these variables and key macroeconomic time series available on a quarterly frequency. The proposed approach offers some advantages over other econometric techniques. Specifically, it does not require any ex-ante assumptions for the link between the quarterly time series and their annual counterpart, while minimizing the need for computationally expensive algorithms and necessitating almost no data pre-processing. To demonstrate the usefulness of the constructed data, we present some business cycles facts for the intangible economies of Eurozone and estimate a dynamic factor model.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexopoulos, Angelos & Varthalitis, Petros, 2023. "A machine learning approach to construct quarterly data on intangible investment for Eurozone," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 231(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:231:y:2023:i:c:s0165176523003324
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2023.111307
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Berger, Tino & Everaert, Gerdie & Pozzi, Lorenzo, 2021. "Testing for international business cycles: A multilevel factor model with stochastic factor selection," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
    5. Corrado, Carol & Haskel, Jonathan & Jona-Lasinio, Cecilia & Iommi, Massimiliano, 2016. "Intangible investment in the EU and US before and since the Great Recession and its contribution to productivity growth," EIB Working Papers 2016/08, European Investment Bank (EIB).
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Machine learning; Intangible investment; Factor model; Business cycles;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E01 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General - - - Measurement and Data on National Income and Product Accounts and Wealth; Environmental Accounts
    • E22 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Investment; Capital; Intangible Capital; Capacity
    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles
    • C49 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods: Special Topics - - - Other
    • C80 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - General

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