2
$\begingroup$

I'm currently working with random walks with drift in R, I use the rwf formula from the forecast package and I wonder how the prediction intervals are computed. As I understand it, for the random walk with drift $$\gamma_t=\gamma_{t-1}+a+\epsilon_t$$ where $\epsilon\sim \mathcal{N}(0,\sigma^2)$,

the rwf function takes both uncertainty from the parameter estimate $\hat{a}$ and from the error term into account, but how exactly are they calculated?

I would say that the variance of the $m$th ahead forecast is equal to $$\mathbb{V}\gamma_{n+m}=m^2\frac{\hat{\sigma}^2}{n-1}+m\hat{\sigma}^2$$Then to compute the lower and uppper limits of the prediction band we would write $$\gamma_n+m\hat{a}\pm 1.96 \sqrt{m^2\frac{\hat{\sigma}^2}{n-1}+m\hat{\sigma}^2}$$ but this does not correspond to what the forecast package gives.

$\endgroup$
1
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ I don't think this is really about how R works. R is presumably using the same calculations any other software would. 'How to compute prediction intervals for a random walk' is certainly on topic here. $\endgroup$ May 12, 2016 at 12:47

1 Answer 1

6
$\begingroup$

You can inspect the code of rwf by simply typing rwf.

In the case of a random walk with drift, an intercept-only OLS model is fitted to first differences:

$$\gamma_t-\gamma_{t-1}\sim a+\epsilon,$$

where $\epsilon\sim N(0,\sigma^2)$. Let $\hat{\sigma}^2$ denote the estimate of the residual variance $\sigma^2$ and $\hat{\sigma}_a$ the estimated standard error of the drift term $a$.

Per the code, the forecasted variance of $m$-step ahead future realizations is then estimated as

$$ \hat{s}^2 := (m\hat{\sigma}_a)^2+m\hat{\sigma}^2,$$

and this is then used with a standard $z$ score to yield prediction intervals:

$$ \gamma_n+m\hat{a}\pm z\sqrt{\hat{s}^2}.$$

$\endgroup$
1
  • $\begingroup$ thank you, it worked this time, I dont know why it did not before :) The $\sigma$ was merely a typo. $\endgroup$
    – user128836
    May 12, 2016 at 10:22

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.