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Forecasting inflation with twitter

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  • J. Daniel Aromí
  • Martín Llada

Abstract

We use Twitter content to generate an indicator of attention allocated to inflation. The analysis corresponds to Argentina for the period 2012-2019. The attention index provides valuable information regarding future levels of inflation. A one standard deviation increment in the index is followed by an increment of approximately 0.4% in expected inflation in the consecutive month. Out-of-sample exercises confirm that social media content allows for gains in forecast accuracy. Beyond point forecasts, the index provides valuable information regarding inflation uncertainty. The proposed indicator compares favorably with other indicators such as media content, media tweets, google search intensity and consumer surveys.

Suggested Citation

  • J. Daniel Aromí & Martín Llada, 2020. "Forecasting inflation with twitter," Asociación Argentina de Economía Política: Working Papers 4308, Asociación Argentina de Economía Política.
    • Handle: RePEc:aep:anales:4308
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    6. Aromi, J. Daniel, 2020. "Linking words in economic discourse: Implications for macroeconomic forecasts," International Journal of Forecasting, Elsevier, vol. 36(4), pages 1517-1530.
    7. Guido Ascari & Paolo Bonomolo & Hedibert F. Lopes, 2019. "Walk on the Wild Side: Temporarily Unstable Paths and Multiplicative Sunspots," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 109(5), pages 1805-1842, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. J. Daniel Aromí & Martín Llada, 2024. "Are professional forecasters inattentive to public discussions? The case of inflation in Argentina," Working Papers 300, Red Nacional de Investigadores en Economía (RedNIE).
    2. Petrova, Diana, 2022. "Assessment of inflation expectations based on internet data," Applied Econometrics, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), vol. 66, pages 25-38.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • E31 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Price Level; Inflation; Deflation
    • C53 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Forecasting and Prediction Models; Simulation Methods

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