A Quest for Context-Specific Stock Price Prediction: A Comparison Between Time Series, Machine Learning and Deep Learning Models

Abstract Understanding the complexities of buying, selling, and holding stocks is crucial for institutional and individual investors to make informed decisions. Despite their significance, many investors face challenges in this area. Accurate stock price forecasting is a vital tool that aids investors in making profitable decisions. This study evaluates stock trends and patterns with an in-depth analysis of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) stock data. We utilized various techniques, including time-series analysis, machine learning, and deep-learning models. This investigation spanned two distinct datasets: one with and one without COVID-19 stock price data. By comparing the outcomes, we seek to identify the most effective model for stock price prediction. Our findings indicate that each model has its strengths and limitations. Time series models accurately forecast short-term stock prices, whereas machine learning models demonstrate superior generalization capabilities. Deep learning models, however, stand out for their ability to predict long-term stock prices more accurately. Understanding each model's performance nuances is crucial for institutional and individual investors and regulators to optimize their strategies and decision-making processes.