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Specification Choices in Quantile Regression for Empirical Macroeconomics

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  • Andrea Carriero
  • Todd E. Clark
  • Massimiliano Marcellino

Abstract

Quantile regression has become widely used in empirical macroeconomics, in particular for estimating and forecasting tail risks to macroeconomic indicators. In this paper we examine various choices in the specification of quantile regressions for macro applications, for example, choices related to how and to what extent to include shrinkage, and whether to apply shrinkage in a classical or Bayesian framework. We focus on forecasting accuracy, using for evaluation both quantile scores and quantile-weighted continuous ranked probability scores at a range of quantiles spanning from the left to right tail. We find that shrinkage is generally helpful to tail forecast accuracy, with gains that are particularly large for GDP applications featuring large sets of predictors and unemployment and inflation applications, and with gains that increase with the forecast horizon.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrea Carriero & Todd E. Clark & Massimiliano Marcellino, 2022. "Specification Choices in Quantile Regression for Empirical Macroeconomics," Working Papers 22-25, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.
  • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedcwq:94690
    DOI: 10.26509/frbc-wp-202225
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    Cited by:

    1. Jan Pruser & Florian Huber, 2023. "Nonlinearities in Macroeconomic Tail Risk through the Lens of Big Data Quantile Regressions," Papers 2301.13604, arXiv.org, revised Sep 2023.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Quantile regression; tail forecasting; shrinkage; Bayesian methods; quantile scores;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C53 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Forecasting and Prediction Models; Simulation Methods
    • E17 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General Aggregative Models - - - Forecasting and Simulation: Models and Applications
    • E37 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Forecasting and Simulation: Models and Applications
    • F47 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - Forecasting and Simulation: Models and Applications

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