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Micro vs. macro consumption data : the cyclical properties of the consumer expenditure survey

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  • Campos, Rodolfo G.
  • García-Píriz, Dionisio

Abstract

The Consumer Expenditure Survey (CEX) offers the most comprehensive consumption data at the consumer level for the United States. Several previous studies have shown a large gap between per-capita consumption from the CEX and the aggregate Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) series. While previous research has focused on consumption levels, we focus on the cyclical properties of consumption. We find that the cyclical properties of consumption expenditure data from the two sources are quantitatively very different. This result calls for caution when using CEX data for business cycle research.

Suggested Citation

  • Campos, Rodolfo G. & García-Píriz, Dionisio, 2012. "Micro vs. macro consumption data : the cyclical properties of the consumer expenditure survey," UC3M Working papers. Economics we1220, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. Departamento de Economía.
    • Handle: RePEc:cte:werepe:we1220
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Consumption;

    JEL classification:

    • E01 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General - - - Measurement and Data on National Income and Product Accounts and Wealth; Environmental Accounts
    • E21 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Consumption; Saving; Wealth
    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles

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