Session 3: Quantitative Methods for Valuation Reading 13: Time-Series Analysis
LOS b: Discuss the factors that determine whether a linear or a log-linear trend should be used with a particular time series, and evaluate the limitations of trend models.
Dianne Hart, CFA, is considering the purchase of an equity position in Book World, Inc, a leading seller of books in the United States. Hart has obtained monthly sales data for the past seven years, and has plotted the data points on a graph. Which of the following statements regarding Hart’s analysis of the data time series of Book World’s sales is most accurate? Hart should utilize a:
A) |
mean-reverting model to analyze the data because the time series pattern is covariance stationary. | |
B) |
log-linear model to analyze the data because it is likely to exhibit a compound growth trend. | |
C) |
linear model to analyze the data because the mean appears to be constant. | |
A log-linear model is more appropriate when analyzing data that is growing at a compound rate. Sales are a classic example of a type of data series that normally exhibits compound growth. |