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Explanations of the inconsistencies in survey respondents’ forecasts

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Clements, Michael P. (2008) Explanations of the inconsistencies in survey respondents’ forecasts. Working Paper. Coventry: University of Warwick, Department of Economics. (Warwick economic research papers.

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Abstract

A comparison of the point forecasts and the central tendencies of probability distributions of inflation and output growth of the SPF indicates that the point forecasts are sometimes optimistic relative to the probability distributions. We consider and evaluate a number of possible explanations for this finding, including the degree of uncertainty concerning the future, computational costs, delayed updating, and asymmetric loss. We also consider the relative accuracy of the two sets of forecasts.

Item Type: Working or Discussion Paper (Working Paper)
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory
Divisions: Faculty of Social Sciences > Economics
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): Econometric models, Economic forecasting, Economic surveys, Estimation theory
Series Name: Warwick economic research papers
Publisher: University of Warwick, Department of Economics
Place of Publication: Coventry
Date: 14 July 2008
Number: No.870
Number of Pages: 36
Status: Not Peer Reviewed
Access rights to Published version: Open Access
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URI: http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/1346

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