We build a simple diagnostic criterion for approximate factor structure in large panel datasets. Given observable factors, the criterion checks whether the errors are weakly cross-sectionally correlated or share at least one unobservable common factor (interactive effects). A general version...

We present a new theory of homogeneous volatility (and variance) estimators for arbitrary stochastic processes. The main tool of our theory is the parsimonious encoding of all the information contained in the OHLC prices for a given time interval by the joint distributions of the high-minusopen,...

Much of the trading activity in Equity markets is directed to brokerage houses. In exchange they provide so-called quot;soft dollarsquot; which basically are amounts spent in quot;researchquot; for identifying profitable trading opportunities. Soft dollars represent about USD 1 out of every USD...

We develop an econometric methodology to infer the path of risk premia from large unbalanced panel of individual stock returns. We estimate the time-varying risk premia implied by conditional linear asset pricing models where the conditioning includes instruments common to all assets and asset...

Structured additive regression (STAR) models are a rich class of regression models that include the generalized linear model (GLM) and the generalized additive model (GAM). STAR models can be fitted by Bayesian approaches, component-wise gradient boosting, penalized least-squares, and deep...

We develop a non-negative polynomial minimum-norm likelihood ratio (PLR) of two distributions of which only moments are known. The PLR converges to the true, unknown, likelihood ratio. We show consistency, obtain the asymptotic distribution for the PLR coefficients estimated with sample moments,...

We develop a penalized two-pass regression with time-varying factor loadings. The penalization in the first pass enforces sparsity for the time-variation drivers while also maintaining compatibility with the no arbitrage restrictions by regularizing appropriate groups of coefficients. The second...

This chapter surveys recent econometric methodologies for inference in large dimensional conditional factor models in finance. Changes in the business cycle and asset characteristics induce time variation in factor loadings and risk premia to be accounted for. The growing trend in the use of...

We estimate a general microstructure model of the transitory and permanent impact of order flow on stock prices. Jumps are detected in both the transaction price (observation equation) and fundamental value (state equation). The model's parameters and variances are updated in real time. Prices...

In this paper we introduce the Extended Method of Moments (XMM) estimator. This estimator accommodates a more general set of moment restrictions than the standard Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimator. More specifically, the XMM differs from the GMM in that it can handle not only uniform...