`frequency`

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Axis frequency on sub-layer l1_a (layer l1).

Sub-layer

l1_a

Axis metadata

Default: 'derived'
Sweepable: False
Status: operational

Operational status summary

Operational: 2 option(s)
Future: 0 option(s)

Options

`monthly` – operational

Sample at monthly cadence; pairs with FRED-MD / monthly custom panels.

Sets the canonical sampling frequency to monthly. Affects horizon resolution (1 = one month ahead), L2 frequency-alignment rules (only applicable when datasets mix), and the standard_md horizon set.

The default is derived: macroforecast infers the frequency from dataset (fred_md → monthly, fred_qd → quarterly). Setting frequency explicitly is required for custom panels.

When to use

Custom panels with monthly observations; explicit override of the FRED-MD default for clarity.

References

macroforecast design Part 1, L1: ‘data definition is the recipe layer that pins source, target, geography, and horizon – everything downstream branches off these choices.’

Related options: quarterly, dataset, horizon_set

Last reviewed 2026-05-04 by macroforecast author.

`quarterly` – operational

Sample at quarterly cadence; pairs with FRED-QD / quarterly custom panels.

Sets the sampling frequency to quarterly. Activates the standard_qd horizon set (h ∈ {1, 2, 4, 8} quarters) and monthly→quarterly aggregation rules in L2.A when the panel mixes frequencies.

When to use

GDP / NIPA-style targets; quarterly custom panels; FRED-QD-based studies.

References

macroforecast design Part 1, L1: ‘data definition is the recipe layer that pins source, target, geography, and horizon – everything downstream branches off these choices.’

Related options: monthly, dataset, horizon_set