Conditional Forecasting Algorithm

A Conditional Forecasting Algorithm is a forecasting algorithm that can solve a conditional forecasting task.

• See: Multivariate Forecasting algorithm).

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References

2012

• (Kunst, 2012) ⇒ Robert M. Kunst. (2012). “Econometric Forecasting - Conditional forecasting." Lecture Notes.
  • Economists are often interested in forecasts for [math]\displaystyle{ x_{t+h} }[/math] that assume [math]\displaystyle{ x_s, s \le t }[/math] as known as well as the values of other variables [math]\displaystyle{ y_s, s \le t + h }[/math]. The solution appears to be [math]\displaystyle{ E\left(x_{t+h} | x^t_{-\infty} \cup y^{t+h}_{-\infty}\right) }[/math].
    • The assumed values [math]\displaystyle{ y_{t+1},..., y_{t+h} }[/math] may be incorrect;
    • Any dynamic model that views [math]\displaystyle{ x_t }[/math] as a function of [math]\displaystyle{ x^{t-1}_{-\infty} }[/math] and [math]\displaystyle{ y^{t}_{-\infty} }[/math] may miss the reaction of y to past x (feedback problem, open loop, weak and strong exogeneity);
    • Changing the generation mechanism for y relative to the observations may affect the reaction of x (super exogeneity).

1999

• John Campbell Robertson, and Ellis W. Tallman. (1999). “Vector autoregressions: forecasting and reality.” In: Economic Review, Q1.
  • ABSTRACT: Constructing forecasts of the future path for economic series such as real gross domestic product growth, inflation, and unemployment forms a large part of applied economic analysis for business and government. Model-based forecasts are easier to replicate and validate by independent researchers than forecasts based on expert opinion alone. In addition, the forecaster can formally investigate the source of systematic errors in model forecasts, and a forecast model's performance can be established before it is used by a decision maker. ; The authors of this article describe a particular model-based forecasting approach, a vector autoregression comprising six U.S. macroeconomic variables. They focus attention on the technical hurdles that must be addressed in a real-time application and methods for overcoming those hurdles, such as conditional forecasting to handle the staggered release of data and matching quarterly with monthly data. ; By emphasizing the practical problems of forecasting economic data using a statistical model, the authors draw on experience in using such a model at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Although the model studied is small and highly aggregated, it provides a convenient framework for illustrating several practical forecasting issues. The focus on a simple model provides potential users with a road map of how one might implement such a forecasting model in specific applications.

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