Journal Article

Nowcasting Using the Chicago Fed National Activity Index


Abstract: The authors present an alternative version of the Chicago Fed National Activity Index (CFNAI), which is constructed using a methodology that allows for a more robust treatment of the underlying data series than its traditional methodology. This alternative CFNAI produces superior predictions of real gross domestic product growth for the current quarter (nowcasts) while correlating more closely with U.S. recessions than the traditional index.

Keywords: Chicago Fed National Activity Index (CFNAI); Gross domestic product (GDP);

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Bibliographic Information

Provider: Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

Part of Series: Economic Perspectives

Publication Date: 2014

Issue: Q I

Pages: 19-37