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Lower bounds of uncertainty and upper limits on the accuracy of forecasts of macroeconomic variables

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  • Olkhov, Victor

Abstract

We consider the randomness of values and volumes of market deals as a major factor that describes lower bounds of uncertainty and upper limits on the accuracy of the forecasts of macroeconomic variables, prices, and returns. We introduce random macroeconomic variables, whose average values coincide with usual macroeconomic variables, and describe their uncertainty by coefficients of variation that depend on the volatilities, correlations, and coefficients of variation of random values or volumes of trades. The same approach describes bounds of uncertainty and limits on the accuracy of forecasts for growth rates, inflation, interest rates, etc. Limits on the accuracy of forecasts of macroeconomic variables depend on the certainty of predictions of their probabilities. The number of predicted statistical moments determines the veracity of macroeconomic probability. To quantify macroeconomic 2nd statistical moments, one needs additional econometric methodologies, data, and calculations of variables determined as sums of squares of values or volumes of market trades. Forecasting of macroeconomic 2nd statistical moments requires 2nd order economic theories. All of that is absent and for many years to come, the accuracy of forecasts of the probabilities of random macroeconomic variables, prices, and returns will be limited by the Gaussian approximations, which are determined by the first two statistical moments.

Suggested Citation

  • Olkhov, Victor, 2024. "Lower bounds of uncertainty and upper limits on the accuracy of forecasts of macroeconomic variables," MPRA Paper 121628, University Library of Munich, Germany.
  • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:121628
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hansen, Lars Peter, 2013. "Uncertainty Outside and Inside Economic Models," Nobel Prize in Economics documents 2013-7, Nobel Prize Committee.
    2. Francesco Bianchi & Howard Kung & Mikhail Tirskikh, 2023. "The origins and effects of macroeconomic uncertainty," Quantitative Economics, Econometric Society, vol. 14(3), pages 855-896, July.
    3. Olkhov, Victor, 2020. "Volatility Depend on Market Trades and Macro Theory," MPRA Paper 102434, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Victor Olkhov, 2023. "Economic Complexity Limits Accuracy of Price Probability Predictions by Gaussian Distributions," Papers 2309.02447, arXiv.org, revised Apr 2024.
    5. Francis X. Diebold, 2015. "Comparing Predictive Accuracy, Twenty Years Later: A Personal Perspective on the Use and Abuse of Diebold-Mariano Tests," Journal of Business & Economic Statistics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 33(1), pages 1-1, January.
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    7. Olkhov, Victor, 2022. "The Market-Based Asset Price Probability," MPRA Paper 113096, University Library of Munich, Germany.
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    11. Victor Olkhov, 2021. "Theoretical Economics and the Second-Order Economic Theory. What is it?," Papers 2112.04566, arXiv.org, revised Mar 2024.
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    bounds of uncertainty; limits on the accuracy of forecasts; random macroeconomic variables; market deals; prices and returns;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C1 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General
    • C8 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs
    • E0 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General
    • E01 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General - - - Measurement and Data on National Income and Product Accounts and Wealth; Environmental Accounts
    • E27 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Forecasting and Simulation: Models and Applications
    • E37 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Forecasting and Simulation: Models and Applications
    • G0 - Financial Economics - - General

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