Fly with the Eagles or Scratch with the Chickens? – Zum Herdenverhalten von Wechselkursprognostikern

We analyze whether exchange-rate forecasters herd. To this end, we lay out two widely studied theoretical models of forecaster herding. The models illustrate why forecasters may herd. We then empirically analyze whether forecasts of the Yen/ Dollar, Swiss franc/Dollar, German mark/Dollar, and Euro/Dollar exchange rates provide evidence of herding. Our results do not yield evidence of herding. On the contrary, we find strong evidence of anti-herding. Anti-herding could indicate that forecasters adhere to a strategy of „forecast differentation“.