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Modeling U.S. Inflation Dynamics: A Bayesian Nonparametric Approach

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  • Markus Jochmann

Abstract

The properties of the inflation process and especially possible changes in its persistence have received much attention in the literature. However, empirical evidence is ambiguous. Some studies find that inflation persistence varied over time, others conclude it was constant. This article contributes further evidence to this ongoing debate by modeling U.S. inflation dynamics using a sticky infinite hidden Markov model (sticky IHMM). The sticky IHMM is a Bayesian nonparametric approach to modeling structural breaks. It allows for an unknown number of breakpoints and is a flexible and attractive alternative to existing methods. We found that inflation persistence was highest in 1973-74 and then again around 1980. However, credible intervals for our estimates of inflation persistence were very wide. Thus, a substantial amount of uncertainty about this aspect of inflation dynamics remained.

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  • Markus Jochmann, 2015. "Modeling U.S. Inflation Dynamics: A Bayesian Nonparametric Approach," Econometric Reviews, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 34(5), pages 537-558, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:emetrv:v:34:y:2015:i:5:p:537-558
    DOI: 10.1080/07474938.2013.806199
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    Cited by:

    1. Fisher, Mark & Jensen, Mark J., 2019. "Bayesian inference and prediction of a multiple-change-point panel model with nonparametric priors," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 210(1), pages 187-202.
    2. Maheu, John M. & Yang, Qiao, 2016. "An infinite hidden Markov model for short-term interest rates," Journal of Empirical Finance, Elsevier, vol. 38(PA), pages 202-220.
    3. Todd E. Clark & Florian Huber & Gary Koop & Massimiliano Marcellino, 2022. "Forecasting US Inflation Using Bayesian Nonparametric Models," Papers 2202.13793, arXiv.org.
    4. Hou, Chenghan, 2017. "Infinite hidden markov switching VARs with application to macroeconomic forecast," International Journal of Forecasting, Elsevier, vol. 33(4), pages 1025-1043.
    5. Jin, Xin & Maheu, John M., 2016. "Bayesian semiparametric modeling of realized covariance matrices," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 192(1), pages 19-39.
    6. Luc Bauwens & Jean-François Carpantier & Arnaud Dufays, 2017. "Autoregressive Moving Average Infinite Hidden Markov-Switching Models," Journal of Business & Economic Statistics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 35(2), pages 162-182, April.
    7. Yang, Qiao, 2019. "Stock returns and real growth: A Bayesian nonparametric approach," Journal of Empirical Finance, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 53-69.
    8. Yong Song & Tomasz Wo'zniak, 2020. "Markov Switching," Papers 2002.03598, arXiv.org.
    9. CARPANTIER, Jean-François & DUFAYS, Arnaud, 2014. "Specific Markov-switching behaviour for ARMA parameters," LIDAM Discussion Papers CORE 2014014, Université catholique de Louvain, Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (CORE).
    10. Didier Nibbering & Richard Paap & Michel van der Wel, 2016. "A Bayesian Infinite Hidden Markov Vector Autoregressive Model," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 16-107/III, Tinbergen Institute, revised 13 Oct 2017.
    11. Yong Song, 2014. "Modelling Regime Switching And Structural Breaks With An Infinite Hidden Markov Model," Journal of Applied Econometrics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 29(5), pages 825-842, August.
    12. Joshua C.C. Chan & Yong Song, 2018. "Measuring Inflation Expectations Uncertainty Using High‐Frequency Data," Journal of Money, Credit and Banking, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 50(6), pages 1139-1166, September.
    13. Sergei Seleznev, 2019. "Truncated priors for tempered hierarchical Dirichlet process vector autoregression," Bank of Russia Working Paper Series wps47, Bank of Russia.
    14. Perricone, Chiara, 2018. "Clustering macroeconomic variables," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 23-33.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C11 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Bayesian Analysis: General
    • C22 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Time-Series Models; Dynamic Quantile Regressions; Dynamic Treatment Effect Models; Diffusion Processes
    • E31 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Price Level; Inflation; Deflation

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