Discrete Fourier Transform Filters as Business Cycle Extraction Tools: An Investigation of Cycle Extraction Properties and Applicability of ‘Gibbs’ Effect

摘要

The purpose of this article is to investigate the ability of an assortment of frequency domain bandpass filters proposed in the economics literature to extract a known periodicity. The specific bandpass filters investigated include a conventional Discrete Fourier Transform filter, together with the filter recently proposed in Iacobucci-Noullez (2004, 2005). We employ simulation methods whereby the above-mentioned filters are applied to artificial data in order to investigate their cycle extraction properties. We also investigate the implications and complications that may arise from the Gibbs Effect in practical settings that typically confront applied macroeconomists.