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Can we beat the Random Walk? The case of survey-based exchange rate forecasts in Chile

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  • Pincheira-Brown, Pablo
  • Neumann, Federico

Abstract

We examine the accuracy of survey-based expectations of the Chilean exchange rate relative to the US dollar. Our out-of-sample analysis reveals that survey-based forecasts outperform the driftless random walk in terms of mean squared prediction error at several forecasting horizons. A similar result is found when precision is measured in a direction-of-change dimension: survey-based forecasts outperform a “pure luck” benchmark at several forecasting horizons. Our findings suggest that survey-based forecasts of the Chilean exchange rate should be considered as a tough benchmark to beat for economic models, tougher indeed than the traditional driftless random walk.

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  • Pincheira-Brown, Pablo & Neumann, Federico, 2020. "Can we beat the Random Walk? The case of survey-based exchange rate forecasts in Chile," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 37(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:37:y:2020:i:c:s1544612319304477
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2019.101380
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    Cited by:

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    3. Kiss, Tamás & Kladívko, Kamil & Silfverberg, Oliwer & Österholm, Pär, 2023. "Market participants or the random walk – who forecasts better? Evidence from micro-level survey data," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 54(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Survey expectations; Exchange Rates; Forecasting; Random Walk; Mean Squared Prediction Error;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C01 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - General - - - Econometrics
    • 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
    • C52 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Model Evaluation, Validation, and Selection
    • C53 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Forecasting and Prediction Models; Simulation Methods
    • C58 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Financial Econometrics
    • G17 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Financial Forecasting and Simulation
    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • E27 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Forecasting and Simulation: Models and Applications
    • E37 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Forecasting and Simulation: Models and Applications
    • F37 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - International Finance Forecasting and Simulation: Models and Applications
    • L74 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Primary Products and Construction - - - Construction
    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure
    • R31 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Real Estate Markets, Spatial Production Analysis, and Firm Location - - - Housing Supply and Markets

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