Methods for continuously monitoring business cycles are compared. A turn in a leading index can be used to predict a turn in the business cycle. Three likelihood based methods for turning point detection are compared in detail by using the theory of statistical surveillance and by simulations....

In many situations we need a system for detecting changes early. Examples are early detection of disease outbreaks, of patients at risk and of financial instability. In influenza outbreaks, for example, we want to detect an increase in the number of cases. Important indicators might be the...