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Sentiment and Uncertainty Fluctuations and Their Effects on the Euro Area Business Cycle

Author

Listed:
  • Bas Aarle

    (KU Leuven)

  • Cindy Moons

    (KU Leuven)

Abstract

This is paper considers the role of economic sentiment and economic uncertainty in explaining economic adjustment in the Euro area during the Financial Crisis and Great Recession. The analysis is based on VAR models of economic activity, sentiment and uncertainty in four sectors—industry, retail, services and construction. Evidence is found that sentiment and uncertainty have non-negligible effects on economic activity. Finally also some additional evidence is provided by studying the two largest Euro area countries: Germany and France.

Suggested Citation

  • Bas Aarle & Cindy Moons, 2017. "Sentiment and Uncertainty Fluctuations and Their Effects on the Euro Area Business Cycle," Journal of Business Cycle Research, Springer;Centre for International Research on Economic Tendency Surveys (CIRET), vol. 13(2), pages 225-251, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jbuscr:v:13:y:2017:i:2:d:10.1007_s41549-017-0020-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s41549-017-0020-y
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    Cited by:

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    3. Angelos Kanas & Panagiotis D. Zervopoulos, 2021. "Systemic risk, real GDP growth, and sentiment," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 57(2), pages 461-485, August.
    4. Śmiech, Sławomir & Papież, Monika & Dąbrowski, Marek A., 2019. "How important are different aspects of uncertainty in driving industrial production in the CEE countries?," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 252-266.
    5. Sorić, Petar & Lolić, Ivana & Claveria, Oscar & Monte, Enric & Torra, Salvador, 2019. "Unemployment expectations: A socio-demographic analysis of the effect of news," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 64-74.
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    7. Nicoletta Pashourtidou, 2022. "Survey-derived proxies for uncertainty: the case of Cyprus," Cyprus Economic Policy Review, University of Cyprus, Economics Research Centre, vol. 16(2), pages 27-56, December.
    8. Jongrim Ha & Inhwan So, 2023. "Global Confidence, Uncertainty, and Business Cycles," International Journal of Central Banking, International Journal of Central Banking, vol. 19(1), pages 451-493, March.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Sentiment; Uncertainty; Ambiguity; Business cycle; Euro area;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C32 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Time-Series Models; Dynamic Quantile Regressions; Dynamic Treatment Effect Models; Diffusion Processes; State Space Models
    • C83 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Survey Methods; Sampling Methods
    • D84 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Expectations; Speculations
    • E23 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Production

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