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Can Machine Learning Catch the COVID-19 Recession?

Author

Listed:
  • Philippe Goulet Coulombe

    (University of Pennsylvania)

  • Massimiliano Marcellino

    (Bocconi University, IGIER, Baffi-Carefin, BIDSA and CEPR)

  • Dalibor Stevanovic

    (University of Quebec in Montreal)

Abstract

Based on evidence gathered from a newly built large macroeconomic data set for the UK, labeled UK-MD and comparable to similar datasets for the US and Canada, it seems the most promising avenue for forecasting during the pandemic is to allow for general forms of nonlinearity by using machine learning (ML) methods. But not all nonlinear ML methods are alike. For instance, some do not allow to extrapolate (like regular trees and forests) and some do (when complemented with linear dynamic components). This and other crucial aspects of ML-based forecasting in unprecedented times are studied in an extensive pseudo-out-of-sample exercise.

Suggested Citation

  • Philippe Goulet Coulombe & Massimiliano Marcellino & Dalibor Stevanovic, 2021. "Can Machine Learning Catch the COVID-19 Recession?," Working Papers 21-01, Chair in macroeconomics and forecasting, University of Quebec in Montreal's School of Management.
    • Handle: RePEc:bbh:wpaper:21-01
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    File URL: https://chairemacro.esg.uqam.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/146/GCMS_UK_COVID.pdf
    File Function: Revised version, 2020
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Boriss Siliverstovs & Daniel Wochner, 2019. "Recessions as Breadwinner for Forecasters State-Dependent Evaluation of Predictive Ability: Evidence from Big Macroeconomic US Data," KOF Working papers 19-463, KOF Swiss Economic Institute, ETH Zurich.
    6. Alessi, Lucia & Barigozzi, Matteo & Capasso, Marco, 2010. "Improved penalization for determining the number of factors in approximate factor models," Statistics & Probability Letters, Elsevier, vol. 80(23-24), pages 1806-1813, December.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Todd E. Clark & Florian Huber & Gary Koop & Massimiliano Marcellino & Michael Pfarrhofer, 2023. "Tail Forecasting With Multivariate Bayesian Additive Regression Trees," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 64(3), pages 979-1022, August.
    2. James T. E. Chapman & Ajit Desai, 2023. "Macroeconomic Predictions Using Payments Data and Machine Learning," Forecasting, MDPI, vol. 5(4), pages 1-32, November.
    3. Zhang, Qin & Ni, He & Xu, Hao, 2023. "Nowcasting Chinese GDP in a data-rich environment: Lessons from machine learning algorithms," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 122(C).
    4. Goulet Coulombe, Philippe & Leroux, Maxime & Stevanovic, Dalibor & Surprenant, Stéphane, 2021. "Macroeconomic data transformations matter," International Journal of Forecasting, Elsevier, vol. 37(4), pages 1338-1354.
    5. Todd E. Clark & Florian Huber & Gary Koop & Massimiliano Marcellino, 2022. "Forecasting US Inflation Using Bayesian Nonparametric Models," Papers 2202.13793, arXiv.org.
    6. Byron Botha & Rulof Burger & Kevin Kotzé & Neil Rankin & Daan Steenkamp, 2023. "Big data forecasting of South African inflation," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 65(1), pages 149-188, July.
    7. Longo, Luigi & Riccaboni, Massimo & Rungi, Armando, 2022. "A neural network ensemble approach for GDP forecasting," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    8. Philippe Goulet Coulombe, 2021. "To Bag is to Prune," Working Papers 21-03, Chair in macroeconomics and forecasting, University of Quebec in Montreal's School of Management, revised Jun 2021.
    9. Michael Zhemkov, 2021. "Nowcasting Russian GDP using forecast combination approach," International Economics, CEPII research center, issue 168, pages 10-24.
    10. Philippe Goulet Coulombe, 2021. "Slow-Growing Trees," Papers 2103.01926, arXiv.org, revised Jul 2021.
    11. Paul Ho, 2021. "Forecasting in the Absence of Precedent," Working Paper 21-10, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.
    12. Hauzenberger, Niko & Huber, Florian & Klieber, Karin, 2023. "Real-time inflation forecasting using non-linear dimension reduction techniques," International Journal of Forecasting, Elsevier, vol. 39(2), pages 901-921.
    13. Philippe Goulet Coulombe, 2021. "Slow-Growing Trees," Working Papers 21-02, Chair in macroeconomics and forecasting, University of Quebec in Montreal's School of Management.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Machine Learning; Big Data; Forecasting; COVID-19.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C53 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Forecasting and Prediction Models; Simulation Methods
    • C55 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Large Data Sets: Modeling and Analysis
    • E37 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Forecasting and Simulation: Models and Applications

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