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Chapter 15 Bayesian Model Averaging in the Presence of Structural Breaks

Forecasting in the Presence of Structural Breaks and Model Uncertainty

ISBN: 978-0-444-52942-8, eISBN: 978-1-84950-540-6

Publication date: 29 February 2008

Abstract

This chapter develops a return forecasting methodology that allows for instability in the relationship between stock returns and predictor variables, model uncertainty, and parameter estimation uncertainty. The predictive regression specification that is put forward allows for occasional structural breaks of random magnitude in the regression parameters, uncertainty about the inclusion of forecasting variables, and uncertainty about parameter values by employing Bayesian model averaging. The implications of these three sources of uncertainty and their relative importance are investigated from an active investment management perspective. It is found that the economic value of incorporating all three sources of uncertainty is considerable. A typical investor would be willing to pay up to several hundreds of basis points annually to switch from a passive buy-and-hold strategy to an active strategy based on a return forecasting model that allows for model and parameter uncertainty as well as structural breaks in the regression parameters.

Citation

Ravazzolo, F., Paap, R., van Dijk, D. and Hans Franses, P. (2008), "Chapter 15 Bayesian Model Averaging in the Presence of Structural Breaks", Rapach, D.E. and Wohar, M.E. (Ed.) Forecasting in the Presence of Structural Breaks and Model Uncertainty (Frontiers of Economics and Globalization, Vol. 3), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 561-594. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1574-8715(07)00215-1

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2008, Emerald Group Publishing Limited