Which method of forecasting is classified as a quantitative method?

Quantitative forecasting methods rely on numerical data and mathematical models to predict future trends. Exponential smoothing is specifically designed to analyze time series data, focusing on past observations to forecast future values. This method gives more weight to recent data points, making it effective in capturing trends while being responsive to changes.

In contrast, market analysis, focus groups, and expert judgment are qualitative methods. These approaches gather insights and opinions from individuals or groups rather than utilizing historical numerical data. While they can provide valuable information, they do not incorporate the systematic, statistical analysis characteristic of quantitative methodologies, making exponential smoothing the appropriate choice in this context.