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Robustness of Forecast Combination in Unstable Environment: A Monte Carlo Study of Advanced Algorithms

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  • Yongchen Zhao

    (Department of Economics, Towson University)

Abstract

In this paper, we study the behavior and effectiveness of several recently developed forecast combination algorithms in simulated unstable environments, where the performances of individual forecasters are cross-sectionally heterogeneous and dynamically evolving. Our results clearly reveal how different algorithms respond to structural instabilities of different origin, frequency, and magnitude. Accordingly, we propose an improved forecast combina- tion procedure and demonstrate its effectiveness in a real-time forecast combination exercise using the U.S. Survey of Professional Forecasters.

Suggested Citation

  • Yongchen Zhao, 2015. "Robustness of Forecast Combination in Unstable Environment: A Monte Carlo Study of Advanced Algorithms," Working Papers 2015-04, Towson University, Department of Economics, revised Mar 2020.
    • Handle: RePEc:tow:wpaper:2015-04
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Fantazzini, Dean & Nigmatullin, Erik & Sukhanovskaya, Vera & Ivliev, Sergey, 2016. "Everything you always wanted to know about bitcoin modelling but were afraid to ask. I," Applied Econometrics, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), vol. 44, pages 5-24.
    2. Constantin Bürgi & Tara M. Sinclair, 2017. "A nonparametric approach to identifying a subset of forecasters that outperforms the simple average," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 53(1), pages 101-115, August.
    3. Yongchen Zhao, 2020. "Predicting U.S. Business Cycle Turning Points Using Real-Time Diffusion Indexes Based on a Large Data Set," Journal of Business Cycle Research, Springer;Centre for International Research on Economic Tendency Surveys (CIRET), vol. 16(2), pages 77-97, November.
    4. Constantin Rudolf Salomo Bürgi, 2023. "How to deal with missing observations in surveys of professional forecasters," Journal of Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 26(1), pages 2185975-218, December.
    5. Fantazzini, Dean & Nigmatullin, Erik & Sukhanovskaya, Vera & Ivliev, Sergey, 2017. "Everything you always wanted to know about bitcoin modelling but were afraid to ask. Part 2," Applied Econometrics, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), vol. 45, pages 5-28.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Exponential re-weighting; Shrinkage; Estimation error; Performance instability.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C53 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Forecasting and Prediction Models; Simulation Methods
    • C22 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Time-Series Models; Dynamic Quantile Regressions; Dynamic Treatment Effect Models; Diffusion Processes
    • C15 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Statistical Simulation Methods: General

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