Forecasting

Dictionary Says

Definition of 'Forecasting'

The use of historic data to determine the direction of future trends. Forecasting is used by companies to determine how to allocate their budgets for an upcoming period of time. This is typically based on demand for the goods and services it offers, compared to the cost of producing them. Investors utilize forecasting to determine if events affecting a company, such as sales expectations, will increase or decrease the price of shares in that company. Forecasting also provides an important benchmark for firms which have a long-term perspective of operations.

Investopedia Says

Investopedia explains 'Forecasting'

Stock analysts use various forecasting methods to determine how a stock's price will move in the future. They might look at revenue and compare it to economic indicators, or may look at other indicators, such as the number of new stores a company opens or the number of orders for the goods it manufactures. Economists use forecasting to extrapolate how trends, such as GDP or unemployment, will change in the coming quarter or year. The further out the forecast, the higher the chances that the estimate will be less accurate.

Related Definitions

Search results for

'Forecasting'

  • DCF Analysis: The Forecast Period & Forecasting Revenue Growth ...

    http://www.investopedia.com/university/dcf/dcf1.asp
    DCF Analysis: The Forecast Period & Forecasting Revenue Growth. ... When forecasting
    revenue growth, we need to consider a wide variety of factors. ...
  • The Basics Of Business Forecasting

    http://www.investopedia.com/articles/financial-theory/11/basics-business-forcasting.asp
    The Basics Of Business Forecasting. December 30 2011 | Filed Under » Business,
    Financial Theory, Fundamental Analysis. ... How Does Forecasting Work? ...
  • Financial Forecasting: The Bayesian Method

    http://www.investopedia.com/articles/financial-theory/09/bayesian-methods-financial-modeling.asp
    Financial Forecasting: The Bayesian Method. ... For further reading on another forecasting
    technique, take a look at Multivariate Models: The Monte Carlo Analysis. ...
  • DCF Analysis: Forecasting Free Cash Flows | Investopedia

    http://www.investopedia.com/university/dcf/dcf2.asp
    DCF Analysis: Forecasting Free Cash Flows. ... A good place to start when forecasting
    operating costs is to look at the company's historic operating cost margins. ...
  • Great Expectations: Forecasting Sales Growth

    http://www.investopedia.com/articles/stocks/04/100604.asp
    Great Expectations: Forecasting Sales Growth. October 06 2004 | Filed Under »
    Bonds, Stocks. Predicting a company's top line growth ...
  • Neural Networks: Forecasting Profits

    http://www.investopedia.com/articles/trading/06/neuralnetworks.asp
    Neural Networks: Forecasting Profits. ... This simplest approach is forecasting a price
    a few bars ahead and basing your trading system on this forecast. ...
  • Forecasting Market Direction With Put/Call Ratios

    http://www.investopedia.com/articles/optioninvestor/02/052102.asp
    Forecasting Market Direction With Put/Call Ratios. June 17 2010 | Filed
    Under » Derivatives, Futures, Options, Technical Analysis. ...
  • 4 Ways To Forecast Currency Changes

    http://www.investopedia.com/articles/forex/11/4-ways-to-forecast-exchange-rates.asp
    ... TUTORIAL: Economic Indicators To Know There are numerous methods of forecasting
    exchange rates, likely because none of them have been shown to be superior to ...
  • Regression Basics For Business Analysis

    http://www.investopedia.com/articles/financial-theory/09/regression-analysis-basics-business.asp
    This tool is easy to use and can provide valuable information on
    financial analysis and forecasting. Find out how. ...
  • Technical Analysis Works In Forex Markets

    http://www.investopedia.com/articles/forex/11/technical-analysis-work-forex-markets.asp
    ... Technical analysis, or the statistical analysis of past price changes with the
    objective of forecasting future price changes, has been a hotly debated topic ...

Related Articles

Trading Center
Partner Links