Is Time Series A White-Noise?

Answer:

In NumXL, we can test whether a time series is white noise or not using the WNTest function. WNTest examines the data series for evidence of any serial correlation using Ljung-Box statistical test and modified Q*(m) statistics:

$$H_{o}: \rho_{1}=\rho_{2}=...=\rho_{m}=0$$ $$H_{1}: \exists \rho_{k}\neq 0$$ $$1\leq k \leq m$$

Where:

• $H_{o}$ is the null hypothesis.
• $H_{1}$ is the alternate hypothesis.
• $\rho_k$ is the population autocorrelation function for lag k
• $m$ is the maximum number of lags included in the white-noise test.

The user can specify the upper lag order for the test, but we recommend using the value of ${\left\lceil \log(T) \right\rceil}$