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Forecasting Aggregates with Disaggregate Variables: Does boosting help to select the most informative predictors?

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  • Zeng, Jing

Abstract

Including disaggregate variables or using information extracted from the disaggregate variables into a forecasting model for an eco- nomic aggregate may improve the forecasting accuracy. In this paper we suggest to use boosting as a method to select the disaggregate variables which are most helpful in predicting an aggregate of interest. We compare this method with the direct forecast of the aggregate, a forecast which aggregates the disaggregate forecasts and a direct forecast which additionally uses information from factors obtained from the disaggregate components. A recursive pseudo-out-of-sample forecasting experiment for key Euro area macroeconomic variables is conducted. The results suggest that using boosting to select relevant predictors is a viable and competitive approach in forecasting an aggregate.

Suggested Citation

  • Zeng, Jing, 2014. "Forecasting Aggregates with Disaggregate Variables: Does boosting help to select the most informative predictors?," VfS Annual Conference 2014 (Hamburg): Evidence-based Economic Policy 100310, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:vfsc14:100310
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C43 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods: Special Topics - - - Index Numbers and Aggregation
    • 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

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