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How do Macroeconomic Expectations React to Extreme Weather Shocks?

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  • Andrew B. Martinez

Abstract

I study how extreme weather events affect macroeconomic expectations to better understand the propagation of climate shocks. I identify the immediate and dynamic effects of a Hurricane Katrina-sized shock on business economists' expectations of GDP growth, inflation, and interest rates over the past two decades. My results highlight the importance of forecast revision dynamics. A shock reduces expected growth, but the total dynamic effect is more than double the immediate effect. It is also perceived as a negative supply shock as inflation expectations rise and interest rate expectations fall. The persistence of the response supports models of delayed overshooting.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrew B. Martinez, 2025. "How do Macroeconomic Expectations React to Extreme Weather Shocks?," Working Papers 2025-001, The George Washington University, Department of Economics, H. O. Stekler Research Program on Forecasting.
  • Handle: RePEc:gwc:wpaper:2025-001
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Expectations formation; Hurricanes; Revision dynamics; Natural disasters;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • C33 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • E66 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - General Outlook and Conditions
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming

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