We propose a simple but effective estimation procedure to extract the level and the volatilitydynamics of a latent macroeconomic factor from a panel of observable indicators. Our approachis based on a multivariate conditionally heteroskedastic exact factor model that cantake into account the...

In this paper we propose a smooth transition tree model for both the conditionalmean and variance of the short-term interest rate process. The estimation of suchmodels is addressed and the asymptotic properties of the quasi-maximum likelihoodestimator are derived. Model specification is also...

We propose an empirical approach to determine the various economic sourcesdriving the US yield curve. We allow the conditional dynamics of the yield at differ-ent maturities to change in reaction to past information coming from several relevantpredictor variables. We consider both endogenous,...