Robust Forecast Methods and Monitoring during Structural Change. (1st August 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Eklund, Jana; Kapetanios, George; Price, Simon
• Is Part Of: Manchester school. Volume 81(2013)Supplement 3
• Page Start: 3
• Page End: 27
• Publication Date: 2013-08-01
• Subjects: Economics -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Periodicals; Economics -- Sociological aspects -- Periodicals; 330.05
• DOI: 10.1111/manc.12011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1463-6786

Abstract

Abstract : We examine how to forecast after a recent break, introducing a new approach, monitoring for change and then combining forecasts from a model using the full sample and another using post‐break data. We compare this to some robust techniques: rolling regressions, forecast averaging over all possible windows and exponentially weighted forecasts. We examine relative efficacy with Monte Carlo experiments given single deterministic or multiple stochastic location shifts, and for many UK and US macroeconomic series. No single method is uniformly superior. Monitoring brings only small improvements, so robust methods are preferred.