Application of Improved Feature Selection Algorithm in SVM Based Market Trend Prediction Model

In this study, a Prediction Accuracy Based Hill Climbing Feature Selection Algorithm (AHCFS) is created and compared with an Error Rate Based Sequential Feature Selection Algorithm (ERFS) which is an existing Matlab algorithm. The goal of the study is to create a new piece of an algorithm that has potential to outperform the existing Matlab sequential feature selection algorithm in predicting the movement of S&P 500 (^GSPC) prices under certain circumstances. The two algorithms are tested based on historical data of ^GSPC, and Support Vector Machine (SVM) is employed by both as the classifier. A prediction without feature selection algorithm implemented is carried out and used as a baseline for comparison between the two algorithms. The prediction horizon set in this study for both algorithms varies from one to 60 days. The study results show that AHCFS reaches higher prediction accuracy than ERFS in the majority of the cases