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Bayesian Combination for Inflation Forecasts: The Effects of a Prior Based on Central Banks’ Estimates

Author

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  • Luis F. Melo Velandia
  • Rubén A. Loaiza Maya
  • Mauricio Villamizar-Villegas

Abstract

Typically, central banks use a variety of individual models (or a combination of models) when forecasting inflation rates. Most of these require excessive amounts of data, time, and computational power; all of which are scarce when monetary authorities meet to decide over policy interventions. In this paper we use a rolling Bayesian combination technique that considers inflation estimates by the staff of the Central Bank of Colombia during 2002-2011 as prior information. Our results show that: 1) the accuracy of individual models is improved by using a Bayesian shrinkage methodology, and 2) priors consisting of staff's estimates outperform all other priors that comprise equal or zero-vector weights. Consequently, our model provides readily available forecasts that exceed all individual models in terms of forecasting accuracy at every evaluated horizon.

Suggested Citation

  • Luis F. Melo Velandia & Rubén A. Loaiza Maya & Mauricio Villamizar-Villegas, 2014. "Bayesian Combination for Inflation Forecasts: The Effects of a Prior Based on Central Banks’ Estimates," Borradores de Economia 12323, Banco de la Republica.
  • Handle: RePEc:col:000094:012323
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Hassani, Hossein & Silva, Emmanuel Sirimal, 2018. "Forecasting UK consumer price inflation using inflation forecasts," Research in Economics, Elsevier, vol. 72(3), pages 367-378.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Bayesian shrinkage; inflation forecast combination; internal forecasts; rolling window estimation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C22 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Time-Series Models; Dynamic Quantile Regressions; Dynamic Treatment Effect Models; Diffusion Processes
    • C53 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Forecasting and Prediction Models; Simulation Methods
    • C11 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Bayesian Analysis: General
    • E31 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Price Level; Inflation; Deflation

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