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Dancing in the Dark: Sentiment Shocks and Economic Activity

Author

Listed:
  • Maximilian Boeck
  • Zeno Enders
  • Michael Kleemann
  • Gernot Müller

Abstract

The business cycle is driven by expectations - some justified, some not - as documented by a host of studies. What is less clear are the conditions that make the economy susceptible to "sentiment shocks." In this paper, we document that uncertainty, as measured by forecaster disagreement, is essential. At times when disagreement is low, sentiment shocks hardly matter for economic activity but are fully absorbed by prices. If, instead, disagreement is high, they move activity with little impact on prices. We obtain these results based on time-series data and a theoretical account based on a New Keynesian model with dispersed information.

Suggested Citation

  • Maximilian Boeck & Zeno Enders & Michael Kleemann & Gernot Müller, 2025. "Dancing in the Dark: Sentiment Shocks and Economic Activity," CESifo Working Paper Series 12252, CESifo.
  • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_12252
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    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
    • C34 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Truncated and Censored Models; Switching Regression Models
    • D84 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Expectations; Speculations
    • E21 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Consumption; Saving; Wealth
    • E23 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Production
    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles

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