Keeping track of global trade in real time

Jaime Martinez-Martin and Elena Rusticelli

International Journal of Forecasting, 2021, vol. 37, issue 1, 224-236

Abstract: This paper builds an innovative composite world trade-cycle index by means of a dynamic factor model for short-term forecasts of world trade growth of both goods and (usually neglected) services. Trade indicators are selected using a multidimensional approach, including Bayesian model averaging techniques, dynamic correlations, and Granger non-causality tests in a linear vector autoregression framework. To overcome real-time forecasting challenges, the dynamic factor model is extended to account for mixed frequencies, to deal with asynchronous data publication, and to include hard and survey data along with leading indicators. Nonlinearities are addressed with a Markov switching model. Pseudo-real-time empirical simulations suggest that: (i) the global trade index is a useful tool for tracking and forecasting world trade in real time; (ii) the model is able to infer global trade cycles very precisely and better than several competing alternatives; and (iii) global trade finance conditions seem to lead the trade cycle, a conclusion that is in line with the theoretical literature.

Keywords: Real-time forecasting; World trade; Bayesian model averaging; Dynamic factor model; Markov switching model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Related works:
Working Paper: Keeping track of global trade in real time (2020)
Working Paper: Keeping track of global trade in real time (2018)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:intfor:v:37:y:2021:i:1:p:224-236

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijforecast.2020.04.005

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