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Main Authors: Zou, Jiahui, Vasnev, Andrey, Wang, Wendun, Zhang, Xinyu
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
Subjects:
Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2510.26456
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author Zou, Jiahui
Vasnev, Andrey
Wang, Wendun
Zhang, Xinyu
author_facet Zou, Jiahui
Vasnev, Andrey
Wang, Wendun
Zhang, Xinyu
contents Forecast combination and model averaging have become popular tools in forecasting and prediction, both of which combine a set of candidate estimates with certain weights and are often shown to outperform single estimates. A data-driven method to determine combination/averaging weights typically optimizes a criterion under certain weight constraints. While a large number of studies have been devoted to developing and comparing various weight choice criteria, the role of weight constraints on the properties of combination forecasts is relatively less understood, and the use of various constraints in practice is also rather arbitrary. In this study, we summarize prevalent weight constraints used in the literature, and theoretically and numerically compare how they influence the properties of the combined forecast. Our findings not only provide a comprehensive understanding on the role of various weight constraints but also practical guidance for empirical researchers how to choose relevant constraints based on prior information and targets.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2510_26456
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle A theoretical comparison of weight constraints in forecast combination and model averaging
Zou, Jiahui
Vasnev, Andrey
Wang, Wendun
Zhang, Xinyu
Statistics Theory
Forecast combination and model averaging have become popular tools in forecasting and prediction, both of which combine a set of candidate estimates with certain weights and are often shown to outperform single estimates. A data-driven method to determine combination/averaging weights typically optimizes a criterion under certain weight constraints. While a large number of studies have been devoted to developing and comparing various weight choice criteria, the role of weight constraints on the properties of combination forecasts is relatively less understood, and the use of various constraints in practice is also rather arbitrary. In this study, we summarize prevalent weight constraints used in the literature, and theoretically and numerically compare how they influence the properties of the combined forecast. Our findings not only provide a comprehensive understanding on the role of various weight constraints but also practical guidance for empirical researchers how to choose relevant constraints based on prior information and targets.
title A theoretical comparison of weight constraints in forecast combination and model averaging
topic Statistics Theory
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2510.26456