This Paper describes a procedure for constructing theory restricted prior distributions for BVAR models. The Bayes Factor, which is obtained without any additional computational effort, can be used to assess the plausibility of the restrictions imposed on the VAR parameter vector by competing DSGE models. In other words, it is possible to rank the amount of abstraction implied by each DSGE mode...

The paper suggests a CUSUM-type test for time-varying parameters in a recently proposed spatial autoregressive model for stock returns and derives its asymptotic null distribution as well as local power properties. As can be seen from Euro Stoxx 50 returns, a combination of spatial modelling and change point tests allows for superior risk forecasts in portfolio management. JEL Classification: C...

This paper discusses inference about the pre and post break value of a scalar parameter in GMM time series models with a single break at an unknown point in time. We show that treating the break date estimated by least squares as the true break date leads to substantially oversized tests and confidence intervals unless the break is large. We develop an alternative test that controls size unifor...

Recent evidence has shown possible scaling and self-similarity in high frequency financial time series. This paper demonstrates that many of these graphical scaling results could have been generated by a simple stochastic volatility model. This casts doubt on the power of these tests to discern between true scaling and simple highly dependent stochastic processes. JEL Classification: C32, G12 ∗...

This paper analyzes the asymptotic behavior of two types of so-called KPSS tests when a logarithm transformation has been applied spuriously to data that are themselves an integrated time series. Although a different limit distribution is obtained, the asymptotic convergence behavior of the KPSS statistic is reminiscent of that of integrated time series, and it is shown that the KPSS test canno...

This paper proposes a simple direct testing procedure to distinguish a linear unit root process from a globally stationary three-regime self-exciting threshold autoregressive process. We derive the asymptotic null distribution of the Wald statistic, and show that it does not depend on unknown fixed threshold values. Monte Carlo evidence clearly indicates that the exponential average of the Wald...

This paper proposes a new methodology to build composite coincident and leading indexes. Based on a formal definition that requires that the first differences of the leading index is the best linear predictor of the first differences of the coincident index, it is shown that the notion of polynomial serial correlation common features can be used to build these composite variables. Concepts and ...

The Enders and Granger (1998) unit-root test against stationary alternatives with asymmetric adjustment is applied to the extended Nelson and Plosser dataset. The test rejects the unit-root null roughly as frequently as does the ADF test. JEL Classification C32, E32 * Correspondence: Philip Rothman Department of Economics East Carolina University Greenville, NC 27858 Phone: 252-328-6151 Fax: 25...

We develop a multivariate generalization of the Markov–switching GARCH model introduced by Haas, Mittnik, and Paolella (2004b) and derive its fourth– moment structure. An application to international stock markets illustrates the relevance of accounting for volatility regimes from both a statistical and economic perspective, including out–of–sample portfolio selection and computation of Value– ...