Bayesian Structural Time Series

Abstract

The current study focused on modeling times series using Bayesian Structural Time Series technique (BSTS) on a univariate data-set. Real-life secondary data from stock prices for flying cement covering a period of one year was used for analysis. Statistical results were based on simulation procedures using Kalman filter and Monte Carlo Markov Chain (MCMC). Though the current study involved stock prices data, the same approach can be applied to complex engineering process involving lead times. Results from the current study were compared with classical Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) technique. For working out the Bayesian posterior sampling distributions BSTS package run with R software was used. Four BSTS models were used on a real data set to demonstrate the working of BSTS technique. The predictive accuracy for competing models was assessed using Forecasts plots and Mean Absolute Percent Error (MAPE). An easyto-follow approach was adopted so that both academicians and practitioners can easily replicate the mechanism. Findings from the study revealed that, for short-term forecasting, both ARIMA and BSTS are equally good but for long term forecasting, BSTS with local level is the most plausible option.