Evidence on News Shocks under Information Deficiency

Nelimarkka, Jaakko (2017): Evidence on News Shocks under Information Deficiency.

Abstract

News shocks about future productivity can be correctly inferred from a conventional VAR model only if information contained in observables is rich enough. This paper examines news shocks by means of a noncausal VAR model that recovers economic shocks from both past and future variation. As noncausality is implied by nonfundamentalness, the model solves the problem of insufficient information per se. By the impulse responses derived from the model, variables react to the anticipated structural shocks, which are identified by exploiting future dependence of investment with respect to productivity. In the U.S. economy, news about improving total factor productivity moves investment and stock prices on impact, but these responses are likely affected by a parallel increase in productivity. The news shock gradually diffuses to productivity and generates smooth reactions of forward-looking variables.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: News shocks, Structural VAR analysis, Nonfundamentalness, Noncausal VAR
• Subjects: C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C1 - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General > C18 - Methodological Issues: General; C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C3 - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models ; Multiple Variables > C32 - Time-Series Models ; Dynamic Quantile Regressions ; Dynamic Treatment Effect Models ; Diffusion Processes ; State Space Models; C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C5 - Econometric Modeling > C53 - Forecasting and Prediction Methods ; Simulation Methods; E - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics > E3 - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles > E32 - Business Fluctuations ; Cycles

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