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On the directional predictability of equity premium using machine learning techniques
Author(s) -
Iworiso Jonathan,
Vrontos Spyridon
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of forecasting
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.543
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1099-131X
pISSN - 0277-6693
DOI - 10.1002/for.2632
Subject(s) - linear discriminant analysis , probit model , artificial intelligence , computer science , machine learning , econometrics , quadratic classifier , predictability , probit , multinomial probit , binary classification , statistics , classifier (uml) , mathematics , support vector machine
This paper applies a plethora of machine learning techniques to forecast the direction of the US equity premium. Our techniques include benchmark binary probit models, classification and regression trees, along with penalized binary probit models. Our empirical analysis reveals that the sophisticated machine learning techniques significantly outperformed the benchmark binary probit forecasting models, both statistically and economically. Overall, the discriminant analysis classifiers are ranked first among all the models tested. Specifically, the high‐dimensional discriminant analysis classifier ranks first in terms of statistical performance, while the quadratic discriminant analysis classifier ranks first in economic performance. The penalized likelihood binary probit models (least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, ridge, elastic net) also outperformed the benchmark binary probit models, providing significant alternatives to portfolio managers.