Geiger, Martin; Scharler, Johann (2021): How do people interpret macroeconomic shocks? Evidence from U.S. survey data. Journal of Money, Credit, and Banking, 53(4), pp. 813-843.

Abstract
We study the revision of survey expectations in response to macroeconomic shocks, which we identify in vector autoregressive models with sign restrictions. We find that survey respondents distinguish between movements along the Phillips curve and shifts of the Phillips curve, depending on the type of shock that hits the economy. In addition, interest rate expectations are revised broadly in line with a Taylor rule. Consistent with models of rational inattention, macroeconomic shocks account for a small share of the forecast error variance of survey measures elicited from consumers, while they are more relevant for the expectations of professional forecasters.

Keywords: Macroeconomic Expectations, Michigan Survey, Structural Vector Autoregression, Zero and Sign Restrictions

JEL codes: D84, E00, E32

Open-access-Link zur Publikation:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jmcb.1274