Given the relatively low computational effort involved, vector autoregressive (VAR) models are frequently used for macroeconomic forecasting purposes. However, the usually limited number of observations obliges the researcher to focus on a relatively small set of key variables, possibly...

The use of log-transformed data has become standard in macroeconomic forecasting with VAR models. However, its appropriateness in the context of out-of-sample forecasts has not yet been exposed to a thorough empirical investigation. With the aim of filling this void, a broad sample of VAR models...

Around the turn of the year 2005/2006, the Russian freezing of natural gas exports to the Ukraine led to a European gas crisis. Using event study techniques, we first investigate whether the Russian suspension of gas deliveries, the announcement of this suspension as well as its withdrawal had...