Nonlinear Methods In Econometrics

This Lecture Note deals with asymptotic properties, i.e. weak and strong consistency and asymptotic normality, of parameter estimators of nonlinear regression models and nonlinear structural equations under various assumptions on the distribution of the data. The estimation methods involved are nonlinear least squares estimation (NLLSE), nonlinear robust M-estimation (NLRME) and non linear weighted robust M-estimation (NLWRME) for the regression case and nonlinear two-stage least squares estimation (NL2SLSE) and a new method called minimum information estimation (MIE) for the case of structural equations. The asymptotic properties of the NLLSE and the two robust M-estimation methods are derived from further elaborations of results of Jennrich. Special attention is payed to the comparison of the asymptotic efficiency of NLLSE and NLRME. It is shown that if the tails of the error distribution are fatter than those of the normal distribution NLRME is more efficient than NLLSE. The NLWRME method is appropriate if the distributions of both the errors and the regressors have fat tails. This study also improves and extends the NL2SLSE theory of Amemiya. The method involved is a variant of the instrumental variables method, requiring at least as many instrumental variables as parameters to be estimated. The new MIE method requires less instrumental variables. Asymptotic normality can be derived by employing only one instrumental variable and consistency can even be proved with out using any instrumental variables at all.

Numerical aptimization; Least squares theory; Confidence intervals and maximum likelihood estimation; Analyses of heteroscedastiaty; Estimation of regressions with dummy dependent variable; Cobb-douglas type functions with multiplicative and additive errors; Estimator behavior for a nonlinear model of production; Autocorrelation in simutaneous equation systems; Estimation of discontinuos parameter changes.

Many relationships in economics, and also in other fields, are both dynamic and nonlinear. A major advance in econometrics over the last fifteen years has been the development of a theory of estimation and inference for dy namic nonlinear models. This advance was accompanied by improvements in computer technology that facilitate the practical implementation of such estimation methods. In two articles in Econometric Reviews, i.e., Pötscher and Prucha {1991a,b), we provided -an expository discussion of the basic structure of the asymptotic theory of M-estimators in dynamic nonlinear models and a review of the literature up to the beginning of this decade. Among others, the class of M-estimators contains least mean distance estimators (includ ing maximum likelihood estimators) and generalized method of moment estimators. The present book expands and revises the discussion in those articles. It is geared towards the professional econometrician or statistician. Besides reviewing the literature we also presented in the above men tioned articles a number of then new results. One example is a consis tency result for the case where the identifiable uniqueness condition fails.

This book investigates several competing forecasting models for interest rates, financial returns, and realized volatility, addresses the usefulness of nonlinear models for hedging purposes, and proposes new computational techniques to estimate financial processes.

The basic characteristic of Modern Linear and Nonlinear Econometrics is that it presents a unified approach of modern linear and nonlinear econometrics in a concise and intuitive way. It covers four major parts of modern econometrics: linear and nonlinear estimation and testing, time series analysis, models with categorical and limited dependent variables, and, finally, a thorough analysis of linear and nonlinear panel data modeling. Distinctive features of this handbook are: -A unified approach of both linear and nonlinear econometrics, with an integration of the theory and the practice in modern econometrics. Emphasis on sound theoretical and empirical relevance and intuition. Focus on econometric and statistical methods for the analysis of linear and nonlinear processes in economics and finance, including computational methods and numerical tools. -Completely worked out empirical illustrations are provided throughout, the macroeconomic and microeconomic (household and firm level) data sets of which are available from the internet; these empirical illustrations are taken from finance (e.g. CAPM and derivatives), international economics (e.g. exchange rates), innovation economics (e.g. patenting), business cycle analysis, monetary economics, housing economics, labor and educational economics (e.g. demand for teachers according to gender) and many others. -Exercises are added to the chapters, with a focus on the interpretation of results; several of these exercises involve the use of actual data that are typical for current empirical work and that are made available on the internet. What is also distinguishable in Modern Linear and Nonlinear Econometrics is that every major topic has a number of examples, exercises or case studies. By this `learning by doing' method the intention is to prepare the reader to be able to design, develop and successfully finish his or her own research and/or solve real world problems.

Nonlinear models have been used extensively in the areas of economics and finance. Recent literature on the topic has shown that a large number of series exhibit nonlinear dynamics as opposed to the alternative--linear dynamics. Incorporating these concepts involves deriving and estimating nonlinear time series models, and these have typically taken the form of Threshold Autoregression (TAR) models, Exponential Smooth Transition (ESTAR) models, and Markov Switching (MS) models, among several others. This edited volume provides a timely overview of nonlinear estimation techniques, offering new methods and insights into nonlinear time series analysis. It features cutting-edge research from leading academics in economics, finance, and business management, and will focus on such topics as Zero-Information-Limit-Conditions, using Markov Switching Models to analyze economics series, and how best to distinguish between competing nonlinear models. Principles and techniques in this book will appeal to econometricians, finance professors teaching quantitative finance, researchers, and graduate students interested in learning how to apply advances in nonlinear time series modeling to solve complex problems in economics and finance.

This book analyzes how the choice of a particular disclosure limitation method, namely additive and multiplicative measurement error, affects the quality of the data and limits its usefulness for empirical research. Generally, a disclosure limitation method can be regarded as a data filter that transforms the true data generating process. This book focuses explicitly on the consequences of additive and multiplicative measurement error for the properties of nonlinear econometric estimators. It investigates the extent to which appropriate econometric techniques can yield consistent and unbiased estimates of the true data generating process in the case of disclosure limitation. Sandra Nolte received her PhD in Economics at the University of Konstanz, Germany in 2008 and is a postdoctoral researcher at the Financial Econometric Research Centre at the Warwick Business School, UK since 2009. Her research areas include microeconometrics and financial econometrics.