How to perform and apply Monte Carlo simulation?

By Indra Giri & Priya Chetty on October 10, 2017

Monte Carlo simulation is an extension of statistical analysis where simulated data is produced. This method uses repeated sampling techniques to generate simulated data. For instance, a regression model analyzes the effect of independent variables X1 and X2 on dependent variable Y. The regression equation is as follows:

Y = 0.076 + 0.0054X1 – 0.72X2

The value of Y can be predicted from the above equation. Moreover, different values of X1 and X2 will give different values of Y. Using this procedure helps generate infinite amount of data. This means variability among different values of X1 and X2 causes variability in its respective values of Y, hence affecting the output. In such cases, Monte Carlo simulation is useful as it simulates the data of X1 and X2. It removes the variability and optimizes the data so that it correctly estimates the value of Y. Therefore, it is broadly a technique to study how a model responds to randomly occurring inputs.

Process of performing Monte Carlo simulation

There are three main steps in performing Monte Carlo simulation:

  1. Perform a regression with ‘N’ inputs (observations of X1 and X2).
  2. Run a simulation for each of the ‘N’ inputs. Here simulation refers to the methods to analyze the mean, standard deviation and variance of series X1 and X2 and optimize the same to obtain robust Y.
  3. Aggregate and assess the output from the simulations.

Step by step example of Monte Carlo simulation

In this example first the regression was run. Furthermore, the results from the predicted regression equation were moved to Monto Carlo simulation window (SPPS, Minitab or any other).  This article presents Monte Carlo simulation in Minitab software.

When the Monte Carlo simulation window opens, it presents the below given fields:

Image 1: Monte Carlo window in Minitab Source: Minitab blog website
Image 1: Monte Carlo window in Minitab (Minitab blog website, n.d.)

Here, the model is defined and values of X1, X2 and Y  are expressed as per the estimated regression equation. Write the estimated regression equation. Also, using parameter optimization choose the appropriate lower and upper limit of mean and variation. This will help generate the value of Y as per those conditions (not present in the image below).

Image 2: Monte Carlo simulation window defining variable in Minitab software (Minitab blog website, n.d.)
Image 2: Monte Carlo simulation window defining variable in Minitab software (Minitab blog website, n.d.)

After inserting the values of all variables, click on ‘simulation’. The results will appear in the form of a histogram showing the value of Y with upper limit and lower limit. Here Monte Carlo simulation uses ‘Parameter Optimization’ with minimum mean settings so that number of defects will be minimum. Like in histogram shown in figure below, the value of Y focuses on the mean and carry minimum defects (variability).

Figure 3: Parameter optimization results in Minitab (Minitab blog website, n.d.)
Figure 3: Parameter optimization results in Minitab (Minitab blog website, n.d.)

Application of Monte Carlo simulation

Monte Carlo Simulation is useful in probability, mathematical, statistical, physics and financial models. In short, the method is applicable when a variable is expected to be estimated from given random variables based on given equation. It is one of the most popular methods in estimating future stock prices as they follow a random path. Therefore, it can generate thousands and millions of such simulations. Moreover, taking average of these results, one can estimate a reasonable estimation of future stock prices.

Software supporting Monte Carlo simulation

Software that support Monte Carlo simulation applications are SAS, MATLAB, STATA and SPSS. However, SPSS is less compatible than other software for Monte Carlo simulation. Therefore, other software are more popular for performing the test.

References

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