We propose a modeling approach involving a series of small-scale dynamic factor models. They are connected to each other within a cluster, whose linkages are derived from Granger-causality tests. This approach merges the benefits of large-scale macroeconomic and small-scale factor models,...

Recent economic forecasts increase the probability that firstly, the EMU can start as planned on January 1, 1999 and secondly, that it will start with a large group of countries. The economic implications of the artificially unification of "hard-currency" and "soft-currency" countries are...