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Economic Surveillance using Corporate Text

Author

Listed:
  • Tarek Alexander Hassan
  • Stephan Hollander
  • Aakash Kalyani
  • Laurence van Lent
  • Markus Schwedeler
  • Ahmed Tahoun
Abstract
This article applies simple methods from computational linguistics to analyze unstructured corporate texts for economic surveillance. We apply text-as-data approaches to earnings conference call transcripts, patent texts, and job postings to uncover unique insights into how markets and firms respond to economic shocks, such as a nuclear disaster or a geopolitical event—insights that often elude traditional data sources. This method enhances our ability to extract actionable intelligence from textual data, thereby aiding policy-making and strategic corporate decisions. By integrating computational linguistics into the analysis of economic shocks, our study opens new possibilities for real-time economic surveillance and offers a more nuanced understanding of firm-level reactions in volatile economic environments.

Suggested Citation

  • Tarek Alexander Hassan & Stephan Hollander & Aakash Kalyani & Laurence van Lent & Markus Schwedeler & Ahmed Tahoun, 2024. "Economic Surveillance using Corporate Text," NBER Working Papers 33158, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:33158
    Note: AP CF EFG IFM ME
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • E3 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles
    • E5 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit
    • E6 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook
    • F01 - International Economics - - General - - - Global Outlook
    • F3 - International Economics - - International Finance
    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill

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