In the context of latent factor models that are widely used in economics, a common assumption made is one of factor pervasiveness, which implies that all available predictor or informative variables in a dataset, with the possible exception of a negligible number of them, load significantly on...

When specifying and estimating latent factor models, a common assumption made is one of factor pervasiveness, which requires that Γ'Γ/N converges to a positive definite matrix, as N → ∞, where Γ denotes the loading matrix of the factor model. This paper builds on the recent nascent...

If the intensity parameter in a jump diffusion model is identically zero, then parameters characterizing the jump size density cannot be identified. In general, this lack of identification precludes consistent estimation of identified parameters. Hence, it should be standard practice to...

If the intensity parameter in a jump diffusion model is identically zero, then parameters characterizing the jump size density cannot be identified. In general, this lack of identification precludes consistent estimation of identified parameters. Hence, it should be standard practice to...

The development of new tests and methods used in the evaluation of time series forecasts and forecasting models remains as important today as it has for the last 50 years. Paraphrasing what Sir Clive W.J. Granger (arguably the father of modern day time series forecasting) said in the 1990s at a...

In this paper, we fill a gap in the financial econometrics literature, by developing a “jump test” for the null hypothesis that the probability of a jump is zero. The test is based on realized third moments, and uses observations over an increasing time span. The test offers an alternative...

In this paper, we evaluate the marginal predictive content of a variety of new business conditions and economic uncertainty indexes. Our indexes are defined as latent factors extracted from a high dimensional macroeconomic dataset (business conditions indexes) and as functions of predictive...

Central banks regularly monitor select financial and macroeconomic variables in order to obtain early indication of the impact of monetary policies. This practice is discussed on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York website, for example, where one particular set of macroeconomic “indicators”...

In economics, common factors are often assumed to underlie the co-movements of a set of macroeconomic variables. For this reason, many authors have used estimated factors in the construction of prediction models. In this paper, we begin by surveying the extant literature on diffusion indexes. We...