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Which Agency and Which Period is The Best? Analyzing National and International Fiscal Forecasts in Italy

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  • Laura Carabotta

Abstract

Economic forecasts taken into account during the European Semester are getting an increasing role in macroeconomic policy decisions. The main motivation for this paper is to analyse the performance of national, international and private agencies in forecasting the government deficit as a ratio to GDP for Italy from 1992 to 2012. Extending the existing methodology and using an innovative database, this paper finds that the accuracy of the forecasts depend on the month in which the forecasts are realized and on the nature of the institution making the economic forecasts (i.e. public or private).

Suggested Citation

  • Laura Carabotta, 2014. "Which Agency and Which Period is The Best? Analyzing National and International Fiscal Forecasts in Italy," International Journal of Economic Sciences, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2014(1), pages 27-46.
    • Handle: RePEc:prg:jnljes:v:2014:y:2014:i:1:id:6:p:27-46
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Teresa Leal & Javier J. Pérez & Mika Tujula & Jean-Pierre Vidal, 2008. "Fiscal Forecasting: Lessons from the Literature and Challenges," Fiscal Studies, Institute for Fiscal Studies, vol. 29(3), pages 347-386, September.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    deficit; forecast accuracy; fiscal forecasting; forecast comparison;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods: General
    • E43 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Interest Rates: Determination, Term Structure, and Effects
    • E62 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Fiscal Policy; Modern Monetary Theory
    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • H62 - Public Economics - - National Budget, Deficit, and Debt - - - Deficit; Surplus
    • H63 - Public Economics - - National Budget, Deficit, and Debt - - - Debt; Debt Management; Sovereign Debt

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