We analyse fifteen post-World War II US macroeconomic time series using a modified outlier identification procedure based on Tsay (1988a). "Large shocks" appear to be present in all the series we examined. Furthermore, there are three basic outlier patterns: (1) outliers seem to be associated...

The authors propose some Stein-rule combination forecasting methods that are designed to ameliorate the estimation of risk inherent in making operational the variance-covariance method for constructing combination weights. By Monte Carlo simulation, it is shown that this amelioration can be...

We propose several variations of the stable seasonal pattern (SSP) model first introduced by Marshall and Oliver and study their prediction procedures. Depending on the type of data (count data or continuous variable), we propose different treatments. Previously SSP models have been applied to...

This paper develops new methodology for the estimation of prewar gross national product (GNP), taps previously unused data sources, an d develops new estimates for the periods 1869-1908 and 1869-1928. Primary among the new data sources are direct measures of output in the transportation,...

This paper analyzes the impact of macroeconomic activity on the level of poverty in the U.S. economy. The authors us e a macroeconometric model of poverty in the United States where the rat e of poverty is presumed to depend upon changes in various indicators of macroeconomic performance and...