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A performance analysis of prediction intervals for count time series

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  • Annika Homburg
  • Christian H. Weiß
  • Layth C. Alwan
  • Gabriel Frahm
  • Rainer Göb

Abstract

One of the major motivations for the analysis and modeling of time series data is the forecasting of future outcomes. The use of interval forecasts instead of point forecasts allows us to incorporate the apparent forecast uncertainty. When forecasting count time series, one also has to account for the discreteness of the range, which is done by using coherent prediction intervals (PIs) relying on a count model. We provide a comprehensive performance analysis of coherent PIs for diverse types of count processes. We also compare them to approximate PIs that are computed based on a Gaussian approximation. Our analyses rely on an extensive simulation study. It turns out that the Gaussian approximations do considerably worse than the coherent PIs. Furthermore, special characteristics such as overdispersion, zero inflation, or trend clearly affect the PIs' performance. We conclude by presenting two empirical applications of PIs for count time series: the demand for blood bags in a hospital and the number of company liquidations in Germany.

Suggested Citation

  • Annika Homburg & Christian H. Weiß & Layth C. Alwan & Gabriel Frahm & Rainer Göb, 2021. "A performance analysis of prediction intervals for count time series," Journal of Forecasting, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 40(4), pages 603-625, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jforec:v:40:y:2021:i:4:p:603-625
    DOI: 10.1002/for.2729
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Annika Homburg & Christian H. Weiß & Layth C. Alwan & Gabriel Frahm & Rainer Göb, 2019. "Evaluating Approximate Point Forecasting of Count Processes," Econometrics, MDPI, vol. 7(3), pages 1-28, July.
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    1. Petropoulos, Fotios & Apiletti, Daniele & Assimakopoulos, Vassilios & Babai, Mohamed Zied & Barrow, Devon K. & Ben Taieb, Souhaib & Bergmeir, Christoph & Bessa, Ricardo J. & Bijak, Jakub & Boylan, Joh, 2022. "Forecasting: theory and practice," International Journal of Forecasting, Elsevier, vol. 38(3), pages 705-871.
      • Fotios Petropoulos & Daniele Apiletti & Vassilios Assimakopoulos & Mohamed Zied Babai & Devon K. Barrow & Souhaib Ben Taieb & Christoph Bergmeir & Ricardo J. Bessa & Jakub Bijak & John E. Boylan & Jet, 2020. "Forecasting: theory and practice," Papers 2012.03854, arXiv.org, revised Jan 2022.

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