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The role of stickiness, extrapolation and past consensus forecasts in macroeconomic expectations

Hagenhoff, Tim ; Lustenhouwer, Joep

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Abstract

We propose a simple model of expectation formation with three distinct deviations from fully rational expectations. In particular, forecasters’ expectations are sticky, extrapolate the most recent news about the current period, and depend on the lagged consensus forecast about the period being forecast. We find that all three biases are present in the Survey of Professional Forecaster as well as in the Livingston Survey, and that their magnitudes depend on the forecasting horizon. Moreover, in an over-identified econometric specification, we find that the restriction on coefficients implied by our model is always close to being satisfied and in most cases not rejected. We also stress the point that using the past consensus forecast to form expectations is a rather smart thing to do if cognitive limitations and biases cause any attempt to build an own rational forecast to fail.

Document type: Working paper
Series Name: Discussion Paper Series / University of Heidelberg, Department of Economics
Volume: 0686
Place of Publication: Heidelberg
Date Deposited: 31 Jul 2020 09:49
Date: July 2020
Number of Pages: 56
Faculties / Institutes: The Faculty of Economics and Social Studies > Alfred-Weber-Institut for Economics
DDC-classification: 330 Economics
Controlled Keywords: extrapolation
Uncontrolled Keywords: expectation formation, sticky expectations, consensus forecasts, survey data
Series: Discussion Paper Series / University of Heidelberg, Department of Economics
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