nep-cmp New Economics Papers
on Computational Economics
Issue of 2021‒02‒15
23 papers chosen by



  1. Pricing Financial Derivatives with Exponential Quantum Speedup By Javier Gonzalez-Conde; \'Angel Rodr\'iguez-Rozas; Enrique Solano; Mikel Sanz
  2. Automatic Control Variates for Option Pricing using Neural Networks By Jérôme Lelong; Zineb El Filali Ech-Chafiq; Adil Reghai
  3. Extensive networks would eliminate the demand for pricing formulas By Jaegi Jeon; Kyunghyun Park; Jeonggyu Huh
  4. A Computational Approach to Sequential Decision Optimization in Energy Storage and Trading By Paolo Falbo; Juri Hinz; Piyachat Leelasilapasart; Cristian Pelizzari
  5. Modeling Trade Tensions: Different Mechanisms in General Equilibrium By Benjamin L Hunt; Susanna Mursula; Rafael A Portillo; Marika Santoro
  6. Youth unemployment hysteresis in South Africa: Macro-micro analysis By Asiya Maskaeva; Mgeni Msafiri
  7. Gaussian Process Latent Class Choice Models By Georges Sfeir; Filipe Rodrigues; Maya Abou-Zeid
  8. Oil price shocks, fuel subsidies and macroeconomic (in)stability in Nigeria By Omotosho, Babatunde S.
  9. FinTech in Financial Inclusion: Machine Learning Applications in Assessing Credit Risk By Majid Bazarbash
  10. A deep learning algorithm for optimal investment strategies By Daeyung Gim; Hyungbin Park
  11. Collective strategy condensation: When envy splits societies By Claudius Gros
  12. Absolute Value Constraint: The Reason for Invalid Performance Evaluation Results of Neural Network Models for Stock Price Prediction By Yi Wei; Cristian Tiu; Vipin Chaudhary
  13. Machine Learning for Strategic Inference By In-Koo Cho; Jonathan Libgober
  14. Solving optimal stopping problems with Deep Q-Learning By John Ery; Loris Michel
  15. Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 Transmission Mitigation Strategies on a University Campus Using an Agent-Based Network Model By Ravi Goyal; John Hotchkiss; Robert T. Schooley; Victor De Gruttola; Natasha K. Martin
  16. Unraveling S&P500 stock volatility and networks -- An encoding and decoding approach By Xiaodong Wang; Fushing Hsieh
  17. Prime locations By Ahlfeldt, Gabriel M.; Albers, Thilo; Behrens, Kristian
  18. Liquidity, Interbank Network Topology and Bank Capital By Aref Mahdavi Ardekani
  19. Predicting Recession Probabilities Using Term Spreads: New Evidence from a Machine Learning Approach By Jaehyuk Choi; Desheng Ge; Kyu Ho Kang; Sungbin Sohn
  20. Analysis of stock index with a generalized BN-S model: an approach based on machine learning and fuzzy parameters By Xianfei Hui; Baiqing Sun; Hui Jiang; Indranil SenGupta
  21. Modeling surrender risk in life insurance: theoretical and experimental insight By Mark Kiermayer
  22. Constructing Daily Economic Sentiment Indices Based on Google Trends By Vera Eichenauer; Ronald Indergand; Isabel Z. Martínez; Christoph Sax
  23. Comparing conventional and machine-learning approaches to risk assessment in domestic abuse cases By Jeffrey Grogger; Ria Ivandic; Tom Kirchmaier

  1. By: Javier Gonzalez-Conde; \'Angel Rodr\'iguez-Rozas; Enrique Solano; Mikel Sanz
    Abstract: Pricing financial derivatives, in particular European-style options at different time-maturities and strikes, is a relevant financial problem. The dynamics describing the price of vanilla options when constant volatilities and interest rates are assumed, is governed by the Black-Scholes model, a linear parabolic partial differential equation with terminal value given by the pay-off of the option contract and no additional boundary conditions. Here, we present a digital quantum algorithm to solve Black-Scholes equation on a quantum computer for a wide range of relevant financial parameters by mapping it to the Schr\"odinger equation. The non-Hermitian nature of the resulting Hamiltonian is solved by embedding the dynamics into an enlarged Hilbert space, which makes use of only one additional ancillary qubit. Moreover, we employ a second ancillary qubit to transform initial condition into periodic boundary conditions, which substantially improves the stability and performance of the protocol. This algorithm shows a feasible approach for pricing financial derivatives on a digital quantum computer based on Hamiltonian simulation, technique which differs from those based on Monte Carlo simulations to solve the stochastic counterpart of the Black Scholes equation. Our algorithm remarkably provides an exponential speedup since the terms in the Hamiltonian can be truncated by a polynomial number of interactions while keeping the error bounded. We report expected accuracy levels comparable to classical numerical algorithms by using 10 qubits and 94 entangling gates on a fault-tolerant quantum computer, and an expected success probability of the post-selection procedure due to the embedding protocol above 60\%.
    Date: 2021–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2101.04023&r=all
  2. By: Jérôme Lelong (DAO - Données, Apprentissage et Optimisation - LJK - Laboratoire Jean Kuntzmann - Inria - Institut National de Recherche en Informatique et en Automatique - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - UGA - Université Grenoble Alpes - Grenoble INP - Institut polytechnique de Grenoble - Grenoble Institute of Technology - UGA - Université Grenoble Alpes); Zineb El Filali Ech-Chafiq (Natixis Asset Management, DAO - Données, Apprentissage et Optimisation - LJK - Laboratoire Jean Kuntzmann - Inria - Institut National de Recherche en Informatique et en Automatique - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - UGA - Université Grenoble Alpes - Grenoble INP - Institut polytechnique de Grenoble - Grenoble Institute of Technology - UGA - Université Grenoble Alpes); Adil Reghai (Natixis Asset Management)
    Abstract: Many pricing problems boil down to the computation of a high dimensional integral, which is usually estimated using Monte Carlo. In fact, the accuracy of a Monte Carlo estimator with M simulations is given by σ √ M. Meaning that its convergence is immune to the dimension of the problem. However, this convergence can be relatively slow depending on the variance σ of the function to be integrated. To resolve such a problem, one would perform some variance reduction techniques such as importance sampling, stratification, or control variates. In this paper, we will study two approaches for improving the convergence of Monte Carlo using Neural Networks. The first approach relies on the fact that many high dimensional financial problems are of low effective dimensions[15]. We expose a method to reduce the dimension of such problems in order to keep only the necessary variables. The integration can then be done using fast numerical integration techniques such as Gaussian quadrature. The second approach consists in building an automatic control variate using neural networks. We learn the function to be integrated (which incorporates the diffusion model plus the payoff function) in order to build a network that is highly correlated to it. As the network that we use can be integrated exactly, we can use it as a control variate.
    Date: 2021
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-02891798&r=all
  3. By: Jaegi Jeon; Kyunghyun Park; Jeonggyu Huh
    Abstract: In this study, we generate a large number of implied volatilities for the Stochastic Alpha Beta Rho (SABR) model using a graphics processing unit (GPU) based simulation and enable an extensive neural network to learn them. This model does not have any exact pricing formulas for vanilla options, and neural networks have an outstanding ability to approximate various functions. Surprisingly, the network reduces the simulation noises by itself, thereby achieving as much accuracy as the Monte-Carlo simulation. Extremely high accuracy cannot be attained via existing approximate formulas. Moreover, the network is as efficient as the approaches based on the formulas. When evaluating based on high accuracy and efficiency, extensive networks can eliminate the necessity of the pricing formulas for the SABR model. Another significant contribution is that a novel method is proposed to examine the errors based on nonlinear regression. This approach is easily extendable to other pricing models for which it is hard to induce analytic formulas.
    Date: 2021–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2101.09064&r=all
  4. By: Paolo Falbo; Juri Hinz (University of Technology Sydney); Piyachat Leelasilapasart (University of Technology Sydney); Cristian Pelizzari
    Abstract: Due to recent technical progress, using battery energy storages are becoming a viable option in the power sector. Their optimal operational management focuses on load shift and shaving of price spikes. However, this requires optimally responding to electricity demand, intermittent generation, and volatile electricity prices. More importantly, such optimization must take into account the so-called deep discharge costs, which have a significant impact on battery lifespan. We present a solution to a class of stochastic optimal control problems associated with these applications. Our numerical techniques are based on efficient algorithms which deliver a guaranteed accuracy.
    Keywords: Approximate dynamic programming; energy trading; optimal control; power sector
    Date: 2021–01–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:uts:rpaper:422&r=all
  5. By: Benjamin L Hunt; Susanna Mursula; Rafael A Portillo; Marika Santoro
    Abstract: In this paper, we investigate the mechanisms through which import tariffs impact the macroeconomy in two large scale workhorse models used for quantitative policy analysis: a computational general equilibrium (CGE) model (Purdue University GTAP model) and a multi-country dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model (IMF GIMF model). The quantitative effects of an increase in tariffs reflect different mechanisms at work. Like other models in the trade literature, in GTAP higher tariffs generate a loss in terms of output arising from an inefficient reallocation of resources between sectors. In GIMF instead, as in other DSGE models, tariffs act as a disincentive to factor utilization. We show that the two models/channels can be broadly interpreted as capturing the impact of tariffs on different components of a country’s aggregate production function: aggregate productivity (GTAP) and factor supply/utilization (GIMF). We discuss ways to combine the estimates from these two models to provide a more complete assessment of the macro effects of tariffs.
    Keywords: Tariffs;Imports;Exports;Trade balance;Exchange rates;Trade policy,trade elasticity,Nominal and real rigidities,general equilibrium,WP,import tariff,trade diversion,terms of trade,GTAP estimate,price distortion
    Date: 2020–12–11
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2020/279&r=all
  6. By: Asiya Maskaeva; Mgeni Msafiri
    Abstract: This study simulates the macro-micro economic impacts of the employment policy, focusing on hysteresis in youth unemployment in South Africa. Specifically, we apply a dynamic computable general equilibrium model to calibrate the 2015 South African Social Accounting Matrix to estimate, compare, and determine the impact of employment policy on youth unemployment as well as on aggregate economic outcomes. We simulate two scenarios where we reduce the import price of fuel by 20 per cent.
    Keywords: Computable general equilibrium, Youth unemployment, Employment, Policy, South Africa
    Date: 2021
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2021-20&r=all
  7. By: Georges Sfeir; Filipe Rodrigues; Maya Abou-Zeid
    Abstract: We present a Gaussian Process - Latent Class Choice Model (GP-LCCM) to integrate a non-parametric class of probabilistic machine learning within discrete choice models (DCMs). Gaussian Processes (GPs) are kernel-based algorithms that incorporate expert knowledge by assuming priors over latent functions rather than priors over parameters, which makes them more flexible in addressing nonlinear problems. By integrating a Gaussian Process within a LCCM structure, we aim at improving discrete representations of unobserved heterogeneity. The proposed model would assign individuals probabilistically to behaviorally homogeneous clusters (latent classes) using GPs and simultaneously estimate class-specific choice models by relying on random utility models. Furthermore, we derive and implement an Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithm to jointly estimate/infer the hyperparameters of the GP kernel function and the class-specific choice parameters by relying on a Laplace approximation and gradient-based numerical optimization methods, respectively. The model is tested on two different mode choice applications and compared against different LCCM benchmarks. Results show that GP-LCCM allows for a more complex and flexible representation of heterogeneity and improves both in-sample fit and out-of-sample predictive power. Moreover, behavioral and economic interpretability is maintained at the class-specific choice model level while local interpretation of the latent classes can still be achieved, although the non-parametric characteristic of GPs lessens the transparency of the model.
    Date: 2021–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2101.12252&r=all
  8. By: Omotosho, Babatunde S.
    Abstract: This paper studies the macroeconomic implications of oil price shocks and the extant fuel subsidy regime for Nigeria. To do this, we develop and estimate a New-Keynesian DSGE model that accounts for pass-through effect of international oil price into the retail price of fuel. Our results show that oil price shocks generate significant and persistent impacts on output, accounting for about 22 percent of its variations up to the fourth year. Under our benchmark model (i.e. with fuel subsidies), we show that a negative oil price shock contracts aggregate GDP, boosts non-oil GDP, increases headline inflation, and depreciates the exchange rate. However, results generated under the model without fuel subsidies indicate that the contractionary effect of a negative oil price shock on aggregate GDP is moderated, headline inflation decreases, while the exchange rate depreciates more in the short-run. Counterfactual simulations also reveal that fuel subsidy removal leads to higher macroeconomic instabilities and generates non-trivial implications for the response of monetary policy to an oil price shock. Thus, this study cautions that a successful fuel subsidy reform must necessarily encompass the deployment of well-targeted safety nets as well as the evolution of sustainable adjustment mechanisms.
    Keywords: Fuel subsidies, oil price shocks, business cycle
    JEL: E31 E32 E52 E62
    Date: 2020
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:105464&r=all
  9. By: Majid Bazarbash
    Abstract: Recent advances in digital technology and big data have allowed FinTech (financial technology) lending to emerge as a potentially promising solution to reduce the cost of credit and increase financial inclusion. However, machine learning (ML) methods that lie at the heart of FinTech credit have remained largely a black box for the nontechnical audience. This paper contributes to the literature by discussing potential strengths and weaknesses of ML-based credit assessment through (1) presenting core ideas and the most common techniques in ML for the nontechnical audience; and (2) discussing the fundamental challenges in credit risk analysis. FinTech credit has the potential to enhance financial inclusion and outperform traditional credit scoring by (1) leveraging nontraditional data sources to improve the assessment of the borrower’s track record; (2) appraising collateral value; (3) forecasting income prospects; and (4) predicting changes in general conditions. However, because of the central role of data in ML-based analysis, data relevance should be ensured, especially in situations when a deep structural change occurs, when borrowers could counterfeit certain indicators, and when agency problems arising from information asymmetry could not be resolved. To avoid digital financial exclusion and redlining, variables that trigger discrimination should not be used to assess credit rating.
    Keywords: Credit risk;Credit;Credit ratings;Loans;Machine learning;WP,ML model,bears risk,machine learning technique,ML analysis,ML evaluation
    Date: 2019–05–17
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2019/109&r=all
  10. By: Daeyung Gim; Hyungbin Park
    Abstract: This paper treats the Merton problem how to invest in safe assets and risky assets to maximize an investor's utility, given by investment opportunities modeled by a $d$-dimensional state process. The problem is represented by a partial differential equation with optimizing term: the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation. The main purpose of this paper is to solve partial differential equations derived from the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equations with a deep learning algorithm: the Deep Galerkin method, first suggested by Sirignano and Spiliopoulos (2018). We then apply the algorithm to get the solution of the PDE based on some model settings and compare with the one from the finite difference method.
    Date: 2021–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2101.12387&r=all
  11. By: Claudius Gros
    Abstract: Human societies are characterized, besides others, by three constituent features. (A) Options, as for jobs and societal positions, differ with respect to their associated monetary and non-monetary payoffs. (B) Competition leads to reduced payoffs when individuals compete for the same option with others. (C) People care how they are doing relatively to others. The latter trait, the propensity to compare one's own success with that of others, expresses itself as envy. It is shown that the combination of (A)-(C) leads to spontaneous class stratification. Societies of agents split endogenously into two social classes, an upper and a lower class, when envy becomes relevant. A comprehensive analysis of the Nash equilibria characterizing a basic reference game is presented. Class separation is due to the condensation of the strategies of lower-class agents, which play an identical mixed strategy. Upper class agents do not condense, following individualist pure strategies. Model and results are size-consistent, holding for arbitrary large numbers of agents and options. Analytic results are confirmed by extensive numerical simulations. An analogy to interacting confined classical particles is discussed.
    Date: 2021–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2101.10824&r=all
  12. By: Yi Wei; Cristian Tiu; Vipin Chaudhary
    Abstract: Neural networks for stock price prediction(NNSPP) have been popular for decades. However, most of its study results remain in the research paper and cannot truly play a role in the securities market. One of the main reasons leading to this situation is that the prediction error(PE) based evaluation results have statistical flaws. Its prediction results cannot represent the most critical financial direction attributes. So it cannot provide investors with convincing, interpretable, and consistent model performance evaluation results for practical applications in the securities market. To illustrate, we have used data selected from 20 stock datasets over six years from the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock market in China, and 20 stock datasets from NASDAQ and NYSE in the USA. We implement six shallow and deep neural networks to predict stock prices and use four prediction error measures for evaluation. The results show that the prediction error value only partially reflects the model accuracy of the stock price prediction, and cannot reflect the change in the direction of the model predicted stock price. This characteristic determines that PE is not suitable as an evaluation indicator of NNSPP. Otherwise, it will bring huge potential risks to investors. Therefore, this paper establishes an experiment platform to confirm that the PE method is not suitable for the NNSPP evaluation, and provides a theoretical basis for the necessity of creating a new NNSPP evaluation method in the future.
    Date: 2021–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2101.10942&r=all
  13. By: In-Koo Cho; Jonathan Libgober
    Abstract: We study interactions between strategic players and markets whose behavior is guided by an algorithm. Algorithms use data from prior interactions and a limited set of decision rules to prescribe actions. While as-if rational play need not emerge if the algorithm is constrained, it is possible to guide behavior across a rich set of possible environments using limited details. Provided a condition known as weak learnability holds, Adaptive Boosting algorithms can be specified to induce behavior that is (approximately) as-if rational. Our analysis provides a statistical perspective on the study of endogenous model misspecification.
    Date: 2021–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2101.09613&r=all
  14. By: John Ery; Loris Michel
    Abstract: We propose a reinforcement learning (RL) approach to model optimal exercise strategies for option-type products. We pursue the RL avenue in order to learn the optimal action-value function of the underlying stopping problem. In addition to retrieving the optimal Q-function at any time step, one can also price the contract at inception. We first discuss the standard setting with one exercise right, and later extend this framework to the case of multiple stopping opportunities in the presence of constraints. We propose to approximate the Q-function with a deep neural network, which does not require the specification of basis functions as in the least-squares Monte Carlo framework and is scalable to higher dimensions. We derive a lower bound on the option price obtained from the trained neural network and an upper bound from the dual formulation of the stopping problem, which can also be expressed in terms of the Q-function. Our methodology is illustrated with examples covering the pricing of swing options.
    Date: 2021–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2101.09682&r=all
  15. By: Ravi Goyal; John Hotchkiss; Robert T. Schooley; Victor De Gruttola; Natasha K. Martin
    Abstract: Universities are faced with decisions on how to resume campus activities while mitigating SARS-CoV-2 risk.
    Keywords: COVID-19, prevention, modeling
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:51c58d1aed8e47a0ad7eefb3c7882776&r=all
  16. By: Xiaodong Wang; Fushing Hsieh
    Abstract: We extend the Hierarchical Factor Segmentation(HFS) algorithm for discovering multiple volatility states process hidden within each individual S&P500 stock's return time series. Then we develop an associative measure to link stocks into directed networks of various scales of associations. Such networks shed lights on which stocks would likely stimulate or even promote, if not cause, volatility on other linked stocks. Our computing endeavors starting from encoding events of large return on the original time axis to transform the original return time series into a recurrence-time process on discrete-time-axis. By adopting BIC and clustering analysis, we identify potential multiple volatility states, and then apply the extended HFS algorithm on the recurrence time series to discover its underlying volatility state process. Our decoding approach is found favorably compared with Viterbi's in experiments involving both light and heavy tail distributions. After recovering the volatility state process back to the original time-axis, we decode and represent stock dynamics of each stock. Our measurement of association is measured through overlapping concurrent volatility states upon a chosen window. Consequently, we establish data-driven associative networks for S&P500 stocks to discover their global dependency relational groupings with respect to various strengths of links.
    Date: 2021–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2101.09395&r=all
  17. By: Ahlfeldt, Gabriel M.; Albers, Thilo; Behrens, Kristian
    Abstract: We harness big data to detect prime locations - large clusters of knowledge-based tradable services - in 125 global cities and track changes in the within-city geography of prime service jobs over a century. Historically smaller cities that did not develop early public transit networks are less concentrated today and have prime locations farther from their historic cores. We rationalize these findings in an agentbased model that features extreme agglomeration, multiple equilibria, and path dependence. Both city size and public transit networks anchor city structure. Exploiting major disasters and using a novel instrument - subway potential - we provide causal evidence for these mechanisms and disentangle sizefrom transport network effects.
    Keywords: prime services; internal city structure; agent-based model; multiple equilibria and path dependence; transport networks
    JEL: R38 R52 R58
    Date: 2020–10
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ehl:lserod:108470&r=all
  18. By: Aref Mahdavi Ardekani (Centre d'Economie de la Sorbonne)
    Abstract: By applying the interbank network simulation, this paper examines whether the causal relationship between capital and liquidity is influenced by bank positions in the interbank network. While existing literature highlights the causal relationship that moves from liquidity to capital, the question of how interbank network characteristics affect this relationship remains unclear. Using a sample of commercial banks from 28 European countries, this paper suggests that bank's interconnectedness within interbank loan and deposit networks affects their decisions to set higher or lower regulatory capital ratios when facing higher iliquidity. This study provides support for the need to implement minimum liquidity ratios to complement capital ratios, as stressed by the Basel Committee on Banking Regulation and Supervision. This paper also highlights the need for regulatory authorities to consider the network characteristics of banks
    Keywords: Interbank network topology; Bank regulatory capital; Liquidity risk; Basel III
    JEL: G21 G28 L14
    Date: 2020–10
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mse:cesdoc:20022r&r=all
  19. By: Jaehyuk Choi; Desheng Ge; Kyu Ho Kang; Sungbin Sohn
    Abstract: The literature on using yield curves to forecast recessions typically measures the term spread as the difference between the 10-year and the three-month Treasury rates. Furthermore, using the term spread constrains the long- and short-term interest rates to have the same absolute effect on the recession probability. In this study, we adopt a machine learning method to investigate whether the predictive ability of interest rates can be improved. The machine learning algorithm identifies the best maturity pair, separating the effects of interest rates from those of the term spread. Our comprehensive empirical exercise shows that, despite the likelihood gain, the machine learning approach does not significantly improve the predictive accuracy, owing to the estimation error. Our finding supports the conventional use of the 10-year--three-month Treasury yield spread. This is robust to the forecasting horizon, control variable, sample period, and oversampling of the recession observations.
    Date: 2021–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2101.09394&r=all
  20. By: Xianfei Hui; Baiqing Sun; Hui Jiang; Indranil SenGupta
    Abstract: We use the superposition of the Levy processes to optimize the classic BN-S model. Considering the frequent fluctuations of price parameters difficult to accurately estimate in the model, we preprocess the price data based on fuzzy theory. The price of S&P500 stock index options in the past ten years are analyzed, and the deterministic fluctuations are captured by machine learning methods. The results show that the new model in a fuzzy environment solves the long-term dependence problem of the classic model with fewer parameter changes, and effectively analyzes the random dynamic characteristics of stock index option price time series.
    Date: 2021–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2101.08984&r=all
  21. By: Mark Kiermayer
    Abstract: Surrender poses one of the major risks to life insurance and a sound modeling of its true probability has direct implication on the risk capital demanded by the Solvency II directive. We add to the existing literature by performing extensive experiments that present highly practical results for various modeling approaches, including XGBoost and neural networks. Further, we detect shortcomings of prevalent model assessments, which are in essence based on a confusion matrix. Our results indicate that accurate label predictions and a sound modeling of the true probability can be opposing objectives. We illustrate this with the example of resampling. While resampling is capable of improving label prediction in rare event settings, such as surrender, and thus is commonly applied, we show theoretically and numerically that models trained on resampled data predict significantly biased event probabilities. Following a probabilistic perspective on surrender, we further propose time-dependent confidence bands on predicted mean surrender rates as a complementary assessment and demonstrate its benefit. This evaluation takes a very practical, going concern perspective, which respects that the composition of a portfolio might change over time.
    Date: 2021–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2101.11590&r=all
  22. By: Vera Eichenauer (KOF Swiss Economic Institute, ETH Zurich, Switzerland); Ronald Indergand (State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO, Switzerland); Isabel Z. Martínez (KOF Swiss Economic Institute, ETH Zurich, Switzerland); Christoph Sax (University of Basel; cynkra LLC, Switzerland)
    Abstract: Google Trends have become a popular data source for social science research. We show that for small countries or sub-national regions like U.S. states, underlying sampling noise in Google Trends can be substantial. The data may therefore be unreliable for time series analysis and is furthermore frequency-inconsistent: daily data differs from weekly or monthly data. We provide a novel sampling technique along with the R-package trendecon in order to generate stable daily Google search results that are consistent with weekly and monthly queries of Google Trends. We use this new approach to construct long and consistent daily economic indices for the (mainly) German-speaking countries Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The resulting indices are significantly correlated with traditional leading indicators, with the advantage that they are available much earlier.
    Keywords: Google Trends, measurement, high frequency, forecasting, Covid-19 Market, Euro, sectoral heterogeneity
    JEL: E01 E32 E37
    Date: 2020–06
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:kof:wpskof:20-484&r=all
  23. By: Jeffrey Grogger; Ria Ivandic; Tom Kirchmaier
    Abstract: We compare predictions from a conventional protocol-based approach to risk assessment with those based on a machine-learning approach. We first show that the conventional predictions are less accurate than, and have similar rates of negative prediction error as, a simple Bayes classifier that makes use only of the base failure rate. A random forest based on the underlying risk assessment questionnaire does better under the assumption that negative prediction errors are more costly than positive prediction errors. A random forest based on two-year criminal histories does better still. Indeed, adding the protocol-based features to the criminal histories adds almost nothing to the predictive adequacy of the model. We suggest using the predictions based on criminal histories to prioritize incoming calls for service, and devising a more sensitive instrument to distinguish true from false positives that result from this initial screening.
    Keywords: domestic abuse, risk assessment, machine learning
    JEL: K42
    Date: 2020–02
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cep:cepdps:dp1676&r=all

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