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Main Authors: Gersing, Philipp, Barigozzi, Matteo, Rust, Christoph, Deistler, Manfred
Format: Preprint
Published: 2023
Subjects:
Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2307.10067
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author Gersing, Philipp
Barigozzi, Matteo
Rust, Christoph
Deistler, Manfred
author_facet Gersing, Philipp
Barigozzi, Matteo
Rust, Christoph
Deistler, Manfred
contents There are two approaches to time series approximate factor models: the static factor model, where the factors are loaded contemporaneously by the common component, and the Generalised Dynamic Factor Model, where the factors are loaded with lags. In this paper we derive a canonical decomposition which nests both models by introducing the weak common component which is the difference between the dynamic- and the static common component. Such component is driven by potentially infinitely many non-pervasive weak factors which live in the dynamically common space (not to be confused with rate-weak factors, being pervasive but associated with a slower rate). Our result shows that the relation between the two approaches is far more rich and complex than what usually assumed. We exemplify why the weak common component shall not be neglected by means of theoretical and empirical examples. Furthermore, we propose a simple estimation procedure for the canonical decomposition. Our empirical estimates on US macroeconomic data reveal that the weak common component can account for a large part of the variation of individual variables. Furthermore in a pseudo real-time forecasting evaluation for industrial production and inflation, we show that gains can be obtained from considering the dynamic approach over the static approach.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2307_10067
institution arXiv
publishDate 2023
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle The Canonical Decomposition of Factor Models: Weak Factors are Everywhere
Gersing, Philipp
Barigozzi, Matteo
Rust, Christoph
Deistler, Manfred
Econometrics
Statistics Theory
There are two approaches to time series approximate factor models: the static factor model, where the factors are loaded contemporaneously by the common component, and the Generalised Dynamic Factor Model, where the factors are loaded with lags. In this paper we derive a canonical decomposition which nests both models by introducing the weak common component which is the difference between the dynamic- and the static common component. Such component is driven by potentially infinitely many non-pervasive weak factors which live in the dynamically common space (not to be confused with rate-weak factors, being pervasive but associated with a slower rate). Our result shows that the relation between the two approaches is far more rich and complex than what usually assumed. We exemplify why the weak common component shall not be neglected by means of theoretical and empirical examples. Furthermore, we propose a simple estimation procedure for the canonical decomposition. Our empirical estimates on US macroeconomic data reveal that the weak common component can account for a large part of the variation of individual variables. Furthermore in a pseudo real-time forecasting evaluation for industrial production and inflation, we show that gains can be obtained from considering the dynamic approach over the static approach.
title The Canonical Decomposition of Factor Models: Weak Factors are Everywhere
topic Econometrics
Statistics Theory
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2307.10067