Working Paper Series : Institute for Monetary and Financial Stability
2 search hits
- 59
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Evaluating point and density forecasts of DSGE models
(2012)
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Maik Hendrik Wolters
- This paper investigates the accuracy of point and density forecasts of four DSGE models for inflation, output growth and the federal funds rate. Model parameters are estimated and forecasts are derived successively from historical U.S. data vintages synchronized with the Fed’s Greenbook projections. Point forecasts of some models are of similar accuracy as the forecasts of nonstructural large dataset methods. Despite their common underlying New Keynesian modeling philosophy, forecasts of different DSGE models turn out to be quite distinct. Weighted forecasts are more precise than forecasts from individual models. The accuracy of a simple average of DSGE model forecasts is comparable to Greenbook projections for medium term horizons. Comparing density forecasts of DSGE models with the actual distribution of observations shows that the models overestimate uncertainty around point forecasts.
- 57
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Complexity and monetary policy
(2012)
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Athanasios Orphanides
Volker Wieland
- The complexity resulting from intertwined uncertainties regarding model misspecification
and mismeasurement of the state of the economy defines the monetary policy landscape.
Using the euro area as laboratory this paper explores the design of robust policy guides
aiming to maintain stability in the economy while recognizing this complexity. We document
substantial output gap mismeasurement and make use of a new model data base to capture
the evolution of model specification. A simple interest rate rule is employed to interpret
ECB policy since 1999. An evaluation of alternative policy rules across 11 models of the
euro area confirms the fragility of policy analysis optimized for any specific model and shows
the merits of model averaging in policy design. Interestingly, a simple difference rule with
the same coefficients on inflation and output growth as the one used to interpret ECB policy
is quite robust as long as it responds to current outcomes of these variables.
