Stata 10 (Time Series and Forecasting)

Stata 10 is a powerful, versatile, and flexible statistical package with a wide range of userfriendly and accurate time series analytical and forecasting commands. It was released in June 2007, about two years after Stata 9 appeared. Prospective users want to know what features the package offers, while veteran users want to know what is novel about the latest version(s). This review addresses time series and forecasting capability in Stata 10 and notes prominent new features in versions 9 and 10, what is still needed and what might be refined. Because all users need to have confidence in the accuracy of the package, this review examines accuracy of the principal time series algorithms. It also briefly describes associated graphics, diagnostics, documentation, help facilities, output, customization, and support. Altogether, these features characterize a very well-designed and well-crafted and powerful time series analysis and forecasting package (Baum 2004).