Duration dependence in US business cycles: An analysis using the modulated power law process

Abstract

The modulated power law process is used to analyze the duration dependence in US business cycles. The model makes less restricting assumptions than traditional models do and measures both the local and global performance of business cycles. The results indicate evidence of positive duration dependence in the U.S. business cycles. Structural change after WWII in both expansion and contraction phases of business cycles is also documented. Hypothesis tests confirm that the model fits US business cycles.