How Do Nonlinear Unit Root Tests Perform with Non Normal Errors?

This article examines how popular nonlinear unit root tests perform in the presence of non normal errors. Non normal errors normally do not pose a problem in the usual linear unit root tests since the least squares estimator will still be the most efficient under certain ideal conditions regardless of normal or non normal errors. Whether similar results will carry over to nonlinear unit root tests with non normal errors is a question that merits examination. We find that in contrast to the linear tests, the presence of non normal errors in nonlinear unit root tests will lead to a significant loss of power.     

非线性Granger因果检验方法的检验功效及有限样本性质的模拟分析

为了克服传统Granger因果检验方法因忽略经济变量的非线性特征而导致结论出现显著偏差的局限性,非线性Granger因果检验方法在近年来正逐步成为经济学研究领域的重要分析工具。然而,迄今为止,学术界仍较少对非线性Granger因果检验方法在不同非线性模型中的有限样本性质展开系统性的比较与分析,因此,本文通过数据生成过程（DGP）,结合Monte Carlo模拟对Diks和Panchenko（2006）等主流的非线性Granger因果检验方法的检验功效、过度拒绝等问题展开比较研究,并对共同滞后阶数、带宽参数的不同设置可能引发结论敏感性变化进行深入分析,在此基础上我们从动态非线性滚动分析的角度对其有限样本性质展开进一步的讨论,并提出对未来非线性应用研究具有实际指导价值的若干建议。     

Exact testing in multivariate regression

An F statistic due to Rao (1951,1973) tests uniform mixed linear restrictions in the multivariateregression model. In combination with a generalization of the Bera-Evans-Savin exact functional relationship between the W, LR, and LM statistics, Rao's F serves to unify a number of exact test procedures commonly applied in disparate empirical literatures. Examples in demand analysis and asset pricing are provided. The availability of exact tests of restrictions in certain nonlinear models when the model is linear under the null, originally explored by Milliken-Graybill (1970), is extended to multivariate regression. Generalized RESET, J-, and Hausman-Wu tests are resented. As an extension of Dufour (1989), bounds tests exist for nonlinear and inequality restrictions. Applications include conservative bound tests for symmetry or negativity of the substitution matrix in demand systems.     

Linear and nonlinear causality tests in an LSTAR model: wavelet decomposition in a nonlinear environment

In this paper, we use simulated data to investigate the power of different causality tests in a two-dimensional vector autoregressive (VAR) model. The data are presented in a nonlinear environment that is modelled using a logistic smooth transition autoregressive function. We use both linear and nonlinear causality tests to investigate the unidirection causality relationship and compare the power of these tests. The linear test is the commonly used Granger causality F test. The nonlinear test is a non-parametric test based on Baek and Brock [A general test for non-linear Granger causality: Bivariate model. Tech. Rep., Iowa State University and University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 1992] and Hiemstra and Jones [Testing for linear and non-linear Granger causality in the stock price–volume relation, J. Finance 49(5) (1994), pp. 1639–1664]. When implementing the nonlinear test, we use separately the original data, the linear VAR filtered residuals, and the wavelet decomposed series based on wavelet multiresolution analysis. The VAR filtered residuals and the wavelet decomposition series are used to extract the nonlinear structure of the original data. The simulation results show that the non-parametric test based on the wavelet decomposition series (which is a model-free approach) has the highest power to explore the causality relationship in nonlinear models.     

平滑转换自回归模型的单位根检验问题研究

 内容提要：针对非线性模型的单位根检验中存在的问题,本文认为非线性模型的单位根检验不应该在AR模型中进行,而应该在非线性模型中进行。以LSTAR(1)模型为例,本文给出了在其中进行单位根检验的统计量及其临界值。用蒙特卡洛试验证实,本文提出的单位根检验统计量的功效明显高于DF单位根检验,只有当非平稳特征十分明显时,DF检验才能检测出其中的单位根,因此,在非线性模型中进行单位根检验是必要的。     

Testing the Martingale Difference Hypothesis

In this paper we consider testing that an economic time series follows a martingale difference process. The martingale difference hypothesis has typically been tested using information contained in the second moments of a process, that is, using test statistics based on the sample autocovariances or periodograms. Tests based on these statistics are inconsistent since they cannot detect nonlinear alternatives. In this paper we consider tests that detect linear and nonlinear alternatives. Given that the asymptotic distributions of the considered tests statistics depend on the data generating process, we propose to implement the tests using a modified wild bootstrap procedure. The paper theoretically justifies the proposed tests and examines their finite sample behavior by means of Monte Carlo experiments.     

On the Performance of Popular Unit-Root Tests Against Various Nonlinear Dynamic Models: A Simulation Study

ABSTRACT

There is a widespread perception that standard unit-root tests have poor discriminatory power when they are applied to time series with nonlinear dynamics. Via Monte Carlo simulations this study re-examines the finite sample properties of selected univariate tests for unit-root and stationarity under a broad class of nonlinear dynamic models. Our simulation experiments produce a couple of interesting findings. First, performance of tests is driven by the degree of underlying persistence rather than the nonlinear dynamics per se. Tests under study exhibit reasonable performance for nonlinear models with mild persistence, while the accuracy of inference deteriorates substantially when the models are highly persistent regardless of the linearity. Second, when it comes to deciding which one to identify first between linearity and stationarity, our results suggest to conduct linearity test first to enhance the reliability of test inference.     

Testing the Martingale Difference Hypothesis

Abstract

In this paper we consider testing that an economic time series follows a martingale difference process. The martingale difference hypothesis has typically been tested using information contained in the second moments of a process, that is, using test statistics based on the sample autocovariances or periodograms. Tests based on these statistics are inconsistent since they cannot detect nonlinear alternatives. In this paper we consider tests that detect linear and nonlinear alternatives. Given that the asymptotic distributions of the considered tests statistics depend on the data generating process, we propose to implement the tests using a modified wild bootstrap procedure. The paper theoretically justifies the proposed tests and examines their finite sample behavior by means of Monte Carlo experiments.     

Nonparametric Nonlinear Cotrending Analysis,With an Application to Interest and Inflation in the United States

Given the assumption that the components of a vector time series are stationary around nonlinear deterministic time trends, nonlinear cotrending is the phenomenon that one or more linear combinations of the time series are stationary around a linear trend or a constant; hence, the series have common nonlinear deterministic time trends. In this article, I develop nonparametric tests for nonlinear cotrending, and I derive nonparametric estimators of the cotrending vectors. I apply this approach to the federal funds rate and the consumer price index inflation rate in the United States, using monthly data, to analyze the price puzzle.     

A new nonlinear unit root test with Fourier function

Abstract

Traditional unit root tests display a tendency to be nonstationary in the case of structural breaks and nonlinearity. To eliminate this problem this paper proposes a new flexible Fourier form nonlinear unit root test. This test eliminates this problem to add structural breaks and nonlinearity together to the test procedure. In this test procedure, structural breaks are modeled by means of a Fourier function and nonlinear adjustment is modeled by means of an exponential smooth threshold autoregressive (ESTAR) model. The simulation results indicate that the proposed unit root test is more powerful than the Kruse and KSS tests.     

基于分形理论的LSTAR模型检验

针对非线性时间序列的单位根检验和非线性检验中存在的问题,引入分形理论中的Hurst指数进行研究,以LSTAR模型为代表,讨论了相关样本性质。通过蒙特卡洛模拟实验证实,只有当非平稳特征十分明显时,DF检验才能检测出单位根。Hurst指数改善了单位根检验功效,且作为一种非参数检验方法,具有较好的稳健性。     

Testing for departures from nominal dispersion in generalized nonlinear models with varying dispersion and/or additive random effects

This paper discusses the tests for departures from nominal dispersion in the framework of generalized nonlinear models with varying dispersion and/or additive random effects. We consider two classes of exponential family distributions. The first is discrete exponential family distributions, such as Poisson, binomial, and negative binomial distributions. The second is continuous exponential family distributions, such as normal, gamma, and inverse Gaussian distributions. Correspondingly, we develop a unifying approach and propose several tests for testing for departures from nominal dispersion in two classes of generalized nonlinear models. The score test statistics are constructed and expressed in simple, easy to use, matrix formulas, so that the tests can easily be implemented using existing statistical software. The properties of test statistics are investigated through Monte Carlo simulations.     

Exact tests and confidence regions in nonlinear regression

Nonlinear regression models with spherically symmetric error vectors and a single nonlinear parameter are considered. On the basis of a new geometric approach, exact one- and two-sided tests and confidence regions for the nonlinear parameter are derived in the cases of known and unknown error variances. A geometric measure representation formula is used to determine the power functions of the tests if the error variance is known and to derive different lower bounds for the power function of a one-sided test in the case of an unknown error variance. The latter can be done quite effectively by constructing and measuring several balls inside the critical region. A numerical study compares the results for different density generating functions of the error distribution.     

非线性协整的秩检验方法及其响应面函数研究

 本文对非线性协整关系的秩检验方法进行了系统的梳理,运用Monte Carlo模拟给出了不同样本容量的各个秩检验统计量的临界值,并进一步探讨了其响应面函数,给出了各个秩检验统计量临界值的近似计算公式。对中国上证综指与主要发达国家股指关系的秩协整检验表明,与传统线性协整Johansen检验相比,秩协整检验能够检测到更多的线性和非线性协整关系。     

非线性财政政策效应下财政赤字 可持续性研究

 财政赤字可持续性检验往往采用线性协整技术来验证跨期预算约束是否成立，但这一检验方法是基于财政政策效应是线性效应理论之上的。在现实中，财政政策既具有凯恩斯效应也具有非凯恩斯效应，财政政策效应是非线性的，财政收支的调整过程也是非线性非对称的。用传统的线性协整技术难以描述财政赤字可持续性过程，本文分析探讨一种用于揭示非平稳时间序列非线性调整过程的模型——两机制门限协整模型，深入研究了该模型的参数估计、检验统计量，并通过自助法(bootstrap)模拟计算其检验统计量临界值及P值。最后利用该模型，揭示了我国财政收支调整是非线性调整过程，并证实了我国财政赤字具有可持续性，但财政赤字规模不应进一步扩大。     

On nonlinear models for time series

The paper is a review of nonlinear processes used in time series analysis and presents some new original results about stationary distribution of a nonlinear autoregres-sive process of the first order. The following models are considered: nonlinear autoregessive processes, threshold AR processes, threshold MA processes, bilinear models, auto-regressive models with random parameters including double stochastic models, exponential AR models, generalized threshold models and smooth transition autoregressive models, Some tests for linearity of processes are also presented.     

Testing the Martingale Hypothesis

We propose new tests of the martingale hypothesis based on generalized versions of the Kolmogorov–Smirnov and Cramér–von Mises tests. The tests are distribution-free and allow for a weak drift in the null model. The methods do not require either smoothing parameters or bootstrap resampling for their implementation and so are well suited to practical work. The article develops limit theory for the tests under the null and shows that the tests are consistent against a wide class of nonlinear, nonmartingale processes. Simulations show that the tests have good finite sample properties in comparison with other tests particularly under conditional heteroscedasticity and mildly explosive alternatives. An empirical application to major exchange rate data finds strong evidence in favor of the martingale hypothesis, confirming much earlier research.     

Measuring Nonlinear Granger Causality in Mean

We propose model-free measures for Granger causality in mean between random variables. Unlike the existing measures, ours are able to detect and quantify nonlinear causal effects. The new measures are based on nonparametric regressions and defined as logarithmic functions of restricted and unrestricted mean square forecast errors. They are easily and consistently estimated by replacing the unknown mean square forecast errors by their nonparametric kernel estimates. We derive the asymptotic normality of nonparametric estimator of causality measures, which we use to build tests for their statistical significance. We establish the validity of smoothed local bootstrap that one can use in finite sample settings to perform statistical tests. Monte Carlo simulations reveal that the proposed test has good finite sample size and power properties for a variety of data-generating processes and different sample sizes. Finally, the empirical importance of measuring nonlinear causality in mean is also illustrated. We quantify the degree of nonlinear predictability of equity risk premium using variance risk premium. Our empirical results show that the variance risk premium is a very good predictor of risk premium at horizons less than 6 months. We also find that there is a high degree of predictability at the 1-month horizon, that can be attributed to a nonlinear causal effect. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.     

Asymptotic results for estimation and testing variances in regression models

Usually the variance of independent observations resulting from a linear or a nonlinear relationship is estimated by the Least-Squares residual estimator. In this paper its asymptotic properties are investigated. Further the asymptotic behaviour of tests for one-sided hypotheses on the variance is studied. The paper splits into two parts, the first one concerned with linear and the second one with nonlinear models.     

Robust tests in nonlinear regression models

Robust tests for testing subhypotheses in nonlinear models are developed. These are drop-in-dispersion testing procedures, score-type and Wald-type testing procedures. The asymptotic properties and influence functions are obtained. Robust tests that perform well in the presence of heteroscedasticity are also developed. Simulation results are provided to illustrate these procedures.