On the directional accuracy of inflation forecasts: evidence from South African survey data

We study the information content of South African inflation survey data by determining the directional accuracy of both short-term and long-term forecasts. We use relative operating characteristic (ROC) curves, which have been applied in a variety of fields including weather forecasting and radiology, to ascertain the directional accuracy of the forecasts. A ROC curve summarizes the directional accuracy of forecasts by comparing the rate of true signals (sensitivity) with the rate of false signals (one minus specifity). A ROC curve goes beyond market-timing tests widely studied in earlier research as this comparison is carried out for many alternative values of a decision criterion that discriminates between signals (of a rising inflation rate) and nonsignals (of an unchanged or a falling inflation rate). We find consistent evidence that forecasts contain information with respect to the subsequent direction of change of the inflation rate.     

我国通货膨胀率非线性特征研究

 本文应用带单位根的门限自回归模型,对我国1990年来以来通货膨胀率的动态路径进行了模拟分析。估计和检验发现了我国通货膨胀具有明显的非线性特征,模型较好地拟合了通货膨胀的动态调整过程。我国通货膨胀调整存在减速通货膨胀状态、适中通货膨胀状态和加速通货膨胀状态三个区制。适中通货膨胀状态是一个平稳的自回归过程,减速通货膨胀状态、加速通货膨胀状态则是具有单位根的自回归过程,具有自我加速的作用。在不同的区制下,通货膨胀率均有较高的持久性,但中间状态的持久性明显低于其他两种状态。     

INDEX TO VOLUME 5 (1987)

Real-time estimates of output gaps and inflation gaps differ from the values that are obtained using data available long after the event. Part of the problem is that the data on which the real-time estimates are based is subsequently revised. We show that vector-autoregressive models of data vintages provide forecasts of post-revision values of future observations and of already-released observations capable of improving estimates of output and inflation gaps in real time. Our findings indicate that annual revisions to output and inflation data are in part predictable based on their past vintages. This article has online supplementary materials.     

More Flexible Use of Survey Data on Expectations in Macroeconomic Models

A flexible procedure is proposed whereby both the random and systematic errors in measurement of survey data on inflation expectations can be appropriately handled when these surveys are used in the estimation of macroeconomic models. During the period 1952–1980, Livingston's two expectations series and the SRC series systematically underestimated inflation expectations by nearly 25%. The ASA–NBER survey, however, does not exhibit such underestimation. Thus, the use of the Livingston or SRC data as an unbiased measure of the true expectations of inflation would result in overestimation of the Fisher effect and the ex ante real interest rate.     

PPI与CPI关系及我国通货膨胀治理

 PPI和CPI关系是宏观经济研究热点问题之一。通过TS季节调整模型和HP滤波方法对1993年1月-2010年7月定基PPI和CPI进行分解,得到趋势、季节、不规则和循环因素。发现两者的趋势、季节和不规则因素间的传导和“倒挂”不显著,增强了用循环因素研究两者关系的科学性。研究发现,（1）两者间传导和“倒挂”交替出现,分别经历两个周期,均在第二周期波谷处逆转。传导和“倒挂”时隔有明显周期。（2）2003年前PPI向CPI传导的原因为投资膨胀、卖方市场等。2003年后PPI与CPI“倒挂”的原因除投资膨胀外,有效需求不足,买方市场,粮食和住房价格上涨等。（3）针对当前通货膨胀特点,提出有别于要素价格管制和货币紧缩政策,可解决物价的长期深层矛盾。     

Economic performance under different monetary policy frameworks

We examine the economic performance (inflation and growth) associated with different monetary policy frameworks, presenting unconditional and conditional analyses, and using predictions of countries’ monetary policy framework choices to address the issue of endogeneity. We find some differences in performance associated with the different monetary policy frameworks, together with a general improvement over time which is explained in part by the trends towards inflation targeting and more precise monetary control, that is from changes in the choice of framework, but in part, and perhaps more strongly, reflects a more general trend towards better economic performance related to changes in decision-making within the frameworks. Our results suggest that the choice of MPF is an important, but by no means the only, determinant of economic performance, and therefore not the only consideration for policymakers looking to improve economic performance.     

原油价格、流动性与我国的通货膨胀

 国际市场原油价格变动对我国通货膨胀具有一定影响的同时流动性过剩仍是一个不可忽视的问题。为了明确影响我国通货膨胀的因素,本文选择广义货币供应量,产出、国际原油价格和通货膨胀率等变量运用CVAR模型方法对影响我国通货膨胀的因素加以分析。经验分析结果表明：我国具有稳定货币需求关系和菲利普斯曲线;原油价格对我国通货膨胀具有长期影响,但是影响我国通货膨胀的更为重要的因素是流动性过剩和经济过热。     

我国当前通货膨胀的深层次原因探究——从生产结构的角度分析

投入产出价格影响模型的分析结果表明,农业对我国当前通货膨胀影响最大,第二产业中高能耗、高资源依赖型行业对通货膨胀的潜在影响较大,但不同行业的影响呈现差异化特点,部分生产性服务业对通货膨胀也具有潜在影响。随着经济增长方式转变和生产结构优化,能源和资源品价格上涨短期内对通货膨胀会形成较大压力,但长期影响将逐步减弱,而生产性服务业产品价格的上升将成为未来影响我国通货膨胀的主要因素。     

国企产权改革抑制通货膨胀

我国近几年经济高速发展,同时也伴随着较高的通货膨胀。本文另辟奚径,从国企产权改革入手,通过改革融通社会资金,既能促进企业走入正轨,适应全球化激烈的竞争；又能遏制投机行为,稳定经济运行。