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Bayesian nonparametric vector autoregressive models

Kalli, Maria, Griffin, Jim E. (2018) Bayesian nonparametric vector autoregressive models. Journal of Econometrics, 203 (2). pp. 267-282. ISSN 0304-4076. (doi:10.1016/j.jeconom.2017.11.009) (KAR id:65792)

Abstract

Vector autoregressive (VAR) models are the main work-horse model for macroeconomic forecasting, and provide a framework for the analysis of complex dynamics that are present between macroeconomic variables. Whether a classical or a Bayesian approach is adopted, most VAR models are linear with Gaussian innovations. This can limit the model’s ability to explain the relationships in macroeconomic series. We propose a nonparametric VAR model that allows for nonlinearity in the conditional mean, heteroscedasticity in the conditional variance, and non-Gaussian innovations. Our approach differs to that of previous studies by modelling the stationary and transition densities using Bayesian nonparametric methods. Our Bayesian nonparametric VAR (BayesNP-VAR) model is applied to US and UK macroeconomic time series, and compared to other Bayesian VAR models. We show that BayesNP-VAR is a flexible model that is able to account for nonlinear relationships as well as heteroscedas- ticity in the data. In terms of short-run out-of-sample forecasts, we show that BayesNP-VAR

predictively outperforms competing models.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1016/j.jeconom.2017.11.009
Uncontrolled keywords: Vector Autoregressive Models; Dirichlet Process Prior; Infinite Mixtures; Markov chain Monte Carlo
Subjects: Q Science > QA Mathematics (inc Computing science) > QA276 Mathematical statistics
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences > School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science
Depositing User: Maria Kalli
Date Deposited: 25 Jan 2018 15:25 UTC
Last Modified: 04 Jul 2023 12:50 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/65792 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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