Independent Factor Autoregressive Conditional Density Model

In this paper, we propose a novel Independent Factor Autoregressive Conditional Density (IFACD) model able to generate time-varying higher moments using an independent factor setup. Our proposed framework incorporates dynamic estimation of higher comovements and feasible portfolio representation within a non elliptical multivariate distribution. We report an empirical application, using returns data from 14 MSCI equity index iShares for the period 1996 to 2011, and we show that the IFACD model provides superior VaR forecasts and portfolio allocations with respect to the CHICAGO and DCC models.