For an institution in charge of the regular estimate, an advance estimate for the most recent reference period T is a quantitative evaluation of a generally hard economic indicator computed during the reference period T.
Although it is calculated on the basis of an incomplete coverage (countries and series) it is produced using the same methodology that is employed for regular estimates. Statistical and econometric techniques are used to fill in the temporary incomplete observations. Hard, soft, unconventional and financial data are used if they are observed during the reference period T.