Back by popular demand—
Advanced Statistical Techniques for Economic Forecasting
October 15-18, 2007
Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
Sponsored by the NABE Foundation
Designed to aid economic forecasting, this seminar presents advanced statistical techniques, modeling and applications. The course is for people who are seeking knowledge of recent developments in economic methodologies and quantitative analysis. The emphasis is on forecasting and time-series analysis with applications in business.
Participants should have a background in microeconomic theory, econometric methods, as well as use of mathematics, statistics and regression analysis. Although course content and time spent on each subject will be tailored to the participants’ backgrounds, the outline below provides the topics to be covered. Examples in economics and finance will be used. Time will be set aside to work on problems to accentuate the lecture material. The software package EVIEWS will be used in most cases in this regard.
Forecast evaluation
- Review of single-equation structural models (model specification; tests of hypotheses; econometric methods)
- Distributed lag models
- Simultaneous and seemingly unrelated models
- Introduction to time-series models
- Unit roots and unit root tests
- Box-Jenkins modeling (AR, MA, ARMA, ARIMA models; model specification; estimation; diagnostic checking; forecasting)
- Vector autoregression (VAR modeling and causality; specification and estimation of VARs)
- Cointegration
About the instructor
Dr. Oral Capps, Jr. has a background of consulting experience in industry, government, and academia. He has conducted seminars in economic modeling and forecasting for the Institute of Professional Education. Dr. Capps received degrees in mathematics, statistics, and agricultural economics from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He is currently a Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Texas A&M University. He has received awards for teaching from Virginia Tech, Texas A&M University, and the American Agricultural Economics Association. He has been honored by the American Agricultural Economics Association, the American Council on Consumer Interests, Texas A&M University, and several editorial boards for outstanding research.
Registration details
Registration fee before September 14 is $1,400 for NABE members, $1,600 for non-NABE members. Add $200 after September 14. Seminar fees include meeting materials as well as continental breakfasts, luncheons, and coffee breaks on all four days.
Register online, or download and print (PDF) the form to register by mail/fax
Seminar details
Advanced Statistical Techniques for Economic Forecasting will be held at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Bring your laptop (with disk drive) loaded with EVIEWS or similar software. The instructor will provide problems sets and data. The seminar will run from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm on all four days.
Hotel reservations
The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta recommends the following hotel: Wyndham Midtown Atlanta, 125 10th Street NE Corner of Peachtree St & 10th Atlanta, Georgia 30309 Phone: 404-873-4800. It is located across the street from the Bank and is very convenient to the main entrance as well as the Midtown MARTA train station. Other hotels: Residence Inn Atlanta Midtown/Historic, 1041 W Peachtree Street Atlanta, Georgia 30309 USA Phone: 1-404-872-8885; Atlanta Marriott Suites Midtown, 35 14th Street NE Atlanta, Georgia 30309 USA Phone: 1-404-876-8888.
About NABE
Founded in 1959, NABE is a non-profit association offering professional services and products to people who use economics in their work. NABE has more than 2,500 members worldwide and 41 chapters across the country.

