The Monte Carlo Cycle in Business Activity

NBER business“cycle” reference dates and aggregate economic time series are examined for evidence of regular cyclic behavior. A simple contingency table test is used on the reference dates, and aggregate series are fit with a second-order autoregression. The results are negative. Apparently the business “cycle” is an optical illusion or, as Irving Fisher called it, a “Monte Carlo cycle.” These are the cycles superstitious gamblers believe govern their luck.