Skip to main content

ECB paper: A new theory of forecasting

This ECB Working Paper argues that forecast estimators should minimise the loss function in a statistical, rather than deterministic, way.

The author introduces two new elements into the classical econometric analysis: a subjective guess on the variable to be forecasted and a probability reflecting the confidence associated to it. They then propose a new forecast estimator based on a test of whether the first derivatives of the loss function evaluated at the subjective guess are statistically different from zero. They show that the classical estimator is a special case of this new estimator, and that in general the two estimators are asymptotically equivalent. They illustrate the implications of this new theory with a simple simulation, an application to GDP forecast and an example of mean-variance portfolio selection.

Click here to read the Working Paper "A new theory of forecasting"

Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.

To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@centralbanking.com or view our subscription options here: subscriptions.centralbanking.com/subscribe

You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@centralbanking.com to find out more.

Most read articles loading...

You need to sign in to use this feature. If you don’t have a Central Banking account, please register for a trial.

Sign in
You are currently on corporate access.

To use this feature you will need an individual account. If you have one already please sign in.

Sign in.

Alternatively you can request an individual account

.