Predicting Recessions: A New Approach for Identifying Leading Indicators and Forecast Combinations

31 Pages Posted: 18 Oct 2011

See all articles by Chikako Baba

Chikako Baba

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Turgut Kisinbay

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Date Written: October 2011

Abstract

This study proposes a data-based algorithm to select a subset of indicators from a large data set with a focus on forecasting recessions. The algorithm selects leading indicators of recessions based on the forecast encompassing principle and combines the forecasts. An application to U.S. data shows that forecasts obtained from the algorithm are consistently among the best in a large comparative forecasting exercise at various forecasting horizons. In addition, the selected indicators are reasonable and consistent with the standard leading indicators followed by many observers of business cycles. The suggested algorithm has several advantages, including wide applicability and objective variable selection.

Keywords: Business cycles, Economic forecasting, Economic indicators, Economic recession, Forecasting models, United States

Suggested Citation

Baba, Chikako and Kisinbay, Turgut, Predicting Recessions: A New Approach for Identifying Leading Indicators and Forecast Combinations (October 2011). IMF Working Paper No. 11/235, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1945622

Chikako Baba

International Monetary Fund (IMF) ( email )

700 19th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20431
United States

Turgut Kisinbay

International Monetary Fund (IMF) ( email )

700 19th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20431
United States

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