[fawr-kast, -kahst, fohr-] 
verb, -cast or -cast⋅ed, -cast⋅ing, noun | 1. | to predict (a future condition or occurrence); calculate in advance: to forecast a heavy snowfall; to forecast lower interest rates. |
| 2. | to serve as a prediction of; foreshadow. |
| 3. | to contrive or plan beforehand; prearrange. |
| 4. | to conjecture beforehand; make a prediction. |
| 5. | to plan or arrange beforehand. |
| 6. | a prediction, esp. as to the weather. |
| 7. | a conjecture as to something in the future. |
| 8. | the act, practice, or faculty of forecasting. |
| 9. | Archaic. foresight in planning. |
| fore·cast (fôr'kāst', fōr'-) v. fore·cast or fore·cast·ed, fore·cast·ing, fore·casts v. tr.
To calculate or estimate something in advance; predict the future. n. A prediction, as of coming events or conditions. [Middle English forecasten, to plan beforehand : fore-, fore- + casten, to throw, calculate, prepare; see cast.] fore·cast'a·ble adj., fore'cast'er n. |
Forecasting
The process of analyzing current and historical data to determine future trends.
Investopedia Commentary
Stock analysts use various forecasting methods to determine future stock price movements, earnings, etc. Economists use forecasting techniques in order to determine future economic trends.
Related Links
Forecasting Market Direction with Put/Call Ratios
Great Expectations: Forecasting Sales Growth
See also: Barometer, Econometrics, Indicator, Technical Analysis
