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Time-varying Uncertainty of the Federal Reserve’s Output Gap Estimate

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Abstract

A factor stochastic volatility model estimates the common component to estimates of the output gap produced by the staff of the Federal Reserve, its time-varying volatility, and time-varying, horizon-specific forecast uncertainty. Output gap estimates are very uncertain, even well after the fact, especially at business cycle turning points. However, the common component of the output gap estimates is clearly procyclical, and innovations to the common factor produce persistent positive effects on economic activity. Output gaps estimated by the Congressional Budget Office have very similar properties. Increased macroeconomic uncertainty, as measured by the common factor's volatility, leads to persistent negative responses in economic variables.

Suggested Citation

  • Travis J. Berge, 2020. "Time-varying Uncertainty of the Federal Reserve’s Output Gap Estimate," Finance and Economics Discussion Series 2020-012r1, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.), revised 14 Apr 2021.
    • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedgfe:2020-12
    DOI: 10.17016/FEDS.2020.012r1
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    Keywords

    Output gap estimation; Unobserved variables; Real-time data; Factor model; Stochastic volatility; Macroeconomic uncertainty;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles
    • C53 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Forecasting and Prediction Models; Simulation Methods

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