Connect with IMF Institute

Nowcasting (NWC)

General Macroeconomic Analysis

This course, presented by the Institute for Capacity Development, provides participants with cutting-edge nowcasting tools that familiarize them with the concepts and methods to incorporate high-frequency economic indicators into the forecasting process, while integrating this training into technical assistance on data compilation and dissemination. Each topic is complemented by hands-on workshops and assignments designed to illuminate the steps required to formulate a nowcasting model and generate a nowcast. 

Read More Topic : General Macroeconomic Analysis

    Target Audience

    Junior and middle-level officials from ministries of finance, central banks, and other interested public institutions. 

    Back to top

    Qualifications

    Participants are expected to have an advanced degree in economics or equivalent experience, a basic understanding of time-series econometrics and be comfortable using EViews (econometric software package). It is strongly recommended that applicants have completed a few general macroeconomic courses, such as Macroeconomic Forecasting and Analysis (MFA), Macroeconomic Diagnostic (MDS), face-to-face or online.

    Back to top

    Course Objectives

    Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to: 

    • Understand and be proficient in the steps required to manage time-series data in EViews, estimate an OLS regression and calculate its associated forecasts in EViews. 
    • Formulate several useful statistical procedures in EViews, including consolidation of time series from higher to lower frequencies; interpolation techniques; seasonal adjustment; and use of leading indicators. 
    • Identify appropriate high-frequency indicators useful for the nowcasting macroeconomic variables and prepare them for use in a nowcasting exercise. 
    • Formulate and estimate a nowcasting regression using several approaches (including Bridge, MIDAS, and U-MIDAS estimators). 
    • Generate a nowcast from the base regression and consolidate competing forecasts using combination forecasts. 
    • Evaluate the accuracy of the nowcast using several forecasting performance indicators. 
    • Apply the nowcasting tools to their own country data and interpret the nowcast appropriately in policy making settings.  
    Back to top

    Upcoming Offering

    Start date End date Location Delivery Method Session No. Primary & (Interpretation) language Apply
    September 16, 2024 September 27, 2024 Ebene, Mauritius In-person Training AT 24.29 English (French, Portuguese) Apply online by August 19, 2024
    Back to top

    Apply Now - Application deadline approaching:

    IMF offers online training to government officials and the public. Click Learn more to find our current offerings.

    Best Practices to Enhance Effectiveness of CFT Frameworks

    English (Arabic) | September 22-26, 2024 | In-person Training | Kuwait City, Kuwait

    Apply online by July 17, 2024

    Macroeconometric Forecasting and Analysis (MFA)

    English | September 23, 2024 - October 3, 2024 | In-person Training | Marrakech, Morocco

    Apply online by July 20, 2024

    Government Finance Statistics - Advanced (GFS-A)

    English | November 11-22, 2024 | In-person Training | Washington, D.C., United States

    Apply online by July 21, 2024

    Public Financial Management Legal Frameworks (LFPFM)

    English | October 14-18, 2024 | In-person Training | Vienna, Austria

    Apply online by July 21, 2024

    Financial Market Infrastructures: Principles and Practices (FMI-PP)

    English (Arabic) | September 29, 2024 - October 3, 2024 | In-person Training | Kuwait City, Kuwait

    Apply online by July 21, 2024