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The Macroeconomy as a Random Forest

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  • Philippe Goulet Coulombe

Abstract

I develop Macroeconomic Random Forest (MRF), an algorithm adapting the canonical Machine Learning (ML) tool to flexibly model evolving parameters in a linear macro equation. Its main output, Generalized Time-Varying Parameters (GTVPs), is a versatile device nesting many popular nonlinearities (threshold/switching, smooth transition, structural breaks/change) and allowing for sophisticated new ones. The approach delivers clear forecasting gains over numerous alternatives, predicts the 2008 drastic rise in unemployment, and performs well for inflation. Unlike most ML-based methods, MRF is directly interpretable -- via its GTVPs. For instance, the successful unemployment forecast is due to the influence of forward-looking variables (e.g., term spreads, housing starts) nearly doubling before every recession. Interestingly, the Phillips curve has indeed flattened, and its might is highly cyclical.

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  • Philippe Goulet Coulombe, 2020. "The Macroeconomy as a Random Forest," Papers 2006.12724, arXiv.org, revised Mar 2021.
    • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:2006.12724
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    2. Maximilian Gobel & Tanya Araújo, 2020. "Indicators of Economic Crises: A Data-Driven Clustering Approach," Working Papers REM 2020/0128, ISEG - Lisbon School of Economics and Management, REM, Universidade de Lisboa.

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