International Finance Discussion Papers

An Analogue Model of Phase-Averaging Procedures Julie Campos, Neil R. Ericsson and David F. Hendry 1987-303  (February 1987)

Abstract:  This paper considers the statistical and econometric effect that fixed n-period phase-averaging has on time series generated by some simple dynamic processes. We focus on the variance and autocorrelation of the data series and of the disturbance term for levels and difference equations involving the phase-average data. Further, we examine the effect of phase-averaging on the erogeneity of variables in those equations and the implications phase-averaging has for conducting statistical inference.

To illustrate our analytical results, we investigate claims by Friedman and Schwartz in their 1982 book Monetary Trends in the United States and the United Kingdom about what the properties of phase-average data and the relationships between those data ought to be. We present certain features of the observed series on velocity, examine how well our analytical model captures them, and contrast them with Friedman and Schwartz's predictions. While our model is an extremely simplified characterization of the phase-averaging adopted by Friedman and Schwartz, it does offer several insights into the likely consequences of their approach.

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