We analyze how modeling international dependencies improves forecasts for the global economy based on a Bayesian GVAR with SSVS prior and stochastic volatility. To analyze the source of performance gains, we decompose the predictive joint density into its marginals and a copula term capturing...

Prognosen unterstützen maßgeblich die Wirtschaftspolitik. Ein wichtiges Merkmal für die Güte von Pro-gnosen ist neben ihrer Genauigkeit (betragsmäßig möglichst geringe Prognosefehler), ob sie im Durchschnitt nahe Null liegen (also unverzerrt sind). Sollten Prognosen, beispielsweise für...

Using European Commission real-time data, we show that potential output (PO) estimates were substantially and persistently revised downwards after the Great Recession. We decompose PO revisions into revisions of the capital stock, trend labor, and trend total-factor productivity (TFP)....

We derive new tests for proper calibration of multivariate density forecasts based on Rosenblatt probability integral transforms. These tests have the advantage that they i) do not depend on the ordering of variables in the forecasting model, ii) are applicable to densities of arbitrary...

We analyze when and how much OECD estimates of potential output are revised after recessions and which factors explain the size of these revisions. Inter alia, we find that following a recession, the OECD substantially revises downwards potential output, those revisions are larger than what is...

Expectations are highly relevant for macroeconomic dynamics. Yet, the empirical evidence about properties of corporate macroeconomic expectations is scarce. Using new survey data on quantitative growth expectations of firms in Germany, we show that expectations are highly dispersed. The degree...

This paper studies the determinants of firms’ business outlook and managerial mitigation strategies in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis using a representative panel of German firms. We first demonstrate that the crisis amplifies pre-crisis weaknesses: Firms that appear relatively weak before...

Expectations are highly relevant for macroeconomic dynamics. Yet, the empirical evidence about properties of corporate macroeconomic expectations is scarce. Using new survey data on quantitative growth expectations of firms in Germany, we show that expectations are highly dispersed. The degree...

Zur Bekämpfung der Corona-Pandemie wurde die Wirtschaftstätigkeit in weiten Teilen der deutschen Volkswirtschaft in erheblichem Maße heruntergefahren. Diese Studie untersucht mithilfe der Daten aus der ifo Konjunkturumfrage, wie deutsche Unternehmen im Zuge dieses partiellen Shutdown ihre...