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Working Paper
Block distributed methods for solving multi-country econometric models.
This paper examines variations on a baseline Fair-Taylor algorithm used to solve multi-country, rational expectations models. One notable feature of these variations is the ability to exploit small-scale distributed processing using a network of workstations or PCs. Using four processors to solve MX-4 (152 endogenous variables), the largest speedup factor relative to Fair-Taylor is 59; for RE-7 (978 endogenous variables) the maximum speedup factor is 12.
Working Paper
Monthly estimates of U.S. cross-border securities positions
This paper reports monthly estimates of U.S. cross-border securities positions obtained by combining the (now) annual TIC surveys with monthly transactions data adjusted for various differences in the two reporting standards. Our approach is similar to that of Thomas, Warnock, and Wongswan (2004), but in addition to having a somewhat larger dataset we are able to make some simplifications to the numerical procedure used and we incorporate additional adjustments to the transactions data. This paper describes the procedure used and presents the monthly results. In addition, we discuss how the ...
Working Paper
Stochastic behavior of the world economy under alternative policy regimes
This paper uses a multicountry econometric model with rational expectations to analyze the effects of alternative monetary policy regimes on the stability of various macroeconomic variables in the face of stochastic shocks to the economy. The policy regimes use a short-term interest-rate instrument to respond to deviations of various target variables from their targeted values. The principal conclusions are that there are significant tradeoffs between stabilizing output and stabilizing prices, and that more aggressive targeting can lead to large increases in interest-rate variability with ...
Working Paper
Output and inflation in the long run
Cross-country regressions explaining output growth often obtain a negative effect from inflation. However, that result is not robust, due to the selection of countries in sample, temporal aggregation, and omission of consequential variables in levels. This paper demonstrates some implications of these mis-specifications, both analytically and empirically. In particular, for most G-7 countries, annual time series of inflation and the log-level of output are cointegrated, thus rejecting the existence of a long-run relation between output growth and inflation. Typically, output and inflation are ...
Working Paper
An empirical analysis of policy coordination in the United States, Japan and Europe
Coordination of macroeconomic policy has been a major topic at recent summit meetings, and has been the subject of a number of theoretical studies. However, relatively little empirical research exists on policy coordination. This paper is an attempt to help fill this gap. The paper considers the quantitative importance of the coordination of fiscal and monetary policy under flexible exchange rates. We also evaluate the mechanisms by which the effects of macroeconomic policy are transmitted abroad. The nature of the equilibrium reached in the absence of coordination is also analyzed, and the ...
Working Paper
The structure and properties of the FRB multicountry model.Part I: Model description and simulation results
The FRB Multicountry Model (MCM) is a linked system of five quarterly national macroeconometric models of the United States, Canada, Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom. The MCM emphasizes international linkages, and has equations for trade in goods and services, investment income flows, and exchange rates. This paper documents the current version of the MCM. The paper describes the theoretical structure of the model, and presents the empirical estimation results. The paper also describes a series of simulations of fiscal and monetary policy scenarios and external shocks. A complete ...