Gretl is an econometric data analysis program for Windows. Unlike other platforms for analyzing economic data, Gretl supports a wide range of data file formats, including Excel, CSV, TXT, DAT, OCS, and more. This allows you to import economic data, analyze it using various methods, and export it in CSV, TXT, and RTF.
The environment includes vector autoregressions, least-squares estimators, vector error correction models, powerful probability estimators (probit, ARIMA, GARCH), estimation strategies (maximum likelihood) and nonlinear GMM methods.
To analyze any financial or statistical information with Gretl, the first step is to import the data from the aforementioned files (you can edit them). Then, from the “Model” menu, you will select the models:
- Ordinary least squares
- Instrumental variables
- Limited dependent variable
- Robust estimation
- Nonlinear least squares
- Maximum likelihood
- GMM
- Simultaneous equations
After selecting the models, you'll need to determine the parameters corresponding to the model. Then, you can view the results by clicking “OK.” The result can be displayed from its interface or exported in CSV, RTF, or plain text. It's that simple. The complex part is generating that data, of course.
As you can see, the environment offers the possibility to analyze statistical and financial data, using various analysis models, to create good reports and make better decisions. And all in a free, cross-platform, open-source program.
