Exchange Rate Forecasting Techniques, Survey Data, and Implications for the Foreign Exchange Market

This paper seeks to advance the discussion of monetary policy strategies in several ways. One involves a comparison of targets for nominal GNP and the price level, with emphasis on specificational robustness and implications for output variability. A second pertains to various "indicator" variables recently suggested by Federal Reserve officials. In this regard, a careful review of the relevant conceptual distinctions--concerning instruments, targets, indicators, etc.--is required. Finally, the proposal that strategy should be conducted so as to place minimal reliance on quantity variables is given attention, in the context of evidence concerning the merits of an interest rate instrument.