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Hierarchical Forecasting

Author

Listed:
  • George Athanasopoulos
  • Puwasala Gamakumara
  • Anastasios Panagiotelis
  • Rob J Hyndman
  • Mohamed Affan

Abstract

Accurate forecasts of macroeconomic variables are crucial inputs into the decisions of economic agents and policy makers. Exploiting inherent aggregation structures of such variables, we apply forecast reconciliation methods to generate forecasts that are coherent with the aggregation constraints. We generate both point and probabilistic forecasts for the first time in the macroeconomic setting. Using Australian GDP we show that forecast reconciliation not only returns coherent forecasts but also improves the overall forecast accuracy in both point and probabilistic frameworks.

Suggested Citation

  • George Athanasopoulos & Puwasala Gamakumara & Anastasios Panagiotelis & Rob J Hyndman & Mohamed Affan, 2019. "Hierarchical Forecasting," Monash Econometrics and Business Statistics Working Papers 2/19, Monash University, Department of Econometrics and Business Statistics.
    • Handle: RePEc:msh:ebswps:2019-2
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    File URL: https://www.monash.edu/business/ebs/research/publications/ebs/wp02-2019.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Panagiotelis, Anastasios & Athanasopoulos, George & Gamakumara, Puwasala & Hyndman, Rob J., 2021. "Forecast reconciliation: A geometric view with new insights on bias correction," International Journal of Forecasting, Elsevier, vol. 37(1), pages 343-359.
    2. Hollyman, Ross & Petropoulos, Fotios & Tipping, Michael E., 2021. "Understanding forecast reconciliation," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 294(1), pages 149-160.
    3. Yang, Dazhi & van der Meer, Dennis, 2021. "Post-processing in solar forecasting: Ten overarching thinking tools," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).
    4. George Athanasopoulos & Nikolaos Kourentzes, 2020. "On the Evaluation of Hierarchical Forecasts," Monash Econometrics and Business Statistics Working Papers 2/20, Monash University, Department of Econometrics and Business Statistics.
    5. Di Fonzo, Tommaso & Girolimetto, Daniele, 2023. "Cross-temporal forecast reconciliation: Optimal combination method and heuristic alternatives," International Journal of Forecasting, Elsevier, vol. 39(1), pages 39-57.

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