Finite Sample Performance of Small Versus Large Scale Dynamic Factor Models

53 Pages Posted: 12 Feb 2012

See all articles by Rocio Alvarez

Rocio Alvarez

Universidad de Alicante

Maximo Camacho

Autonomous University of Barcelona - Department of Economics; Universidad de Murcia - Departamento de Metodos Cuantitativos

Gabriel Perez-Quiros

Banco de España

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Date Written: February 10, 2012

Abstract

We examine the finite-sample performance of small versus large scale dynamic factor models. Our Monte Carlo analysis reveals that small scale factor models out-perform large scale models in factor estimation and forecasting for high levels of cross-correlation across the idiosyncratic errors of series belonging to the same category, for oversampled categories and, especially, for high persistence in either the common factor series or the idiosyncratic errors. Using a panel of 147 US economic indicators, which are classified into 13 economic categories, we show that a small scale dynamic factor model that uses one representative indicator of each category yields satisfactory or even better forecasting results than a large scale dynamic factor model that uses all the economic indicators.

Keywords: business cycles, output growth, time series

JEL Classification: E32, C22, E27

Suggested Citation

Alvarez, Rocio and Camacho, Maximo and Perez-Quiros, Gabriel, Finite Sample Performance of Small Versus Large Scale Dynamic Factor Models (February 10, 2012). Banco de Espana Working Paper No. 1204, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2002663 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2002663

Rocio Alvarez (Contact Author)

Universidad de Alicante ( email )

Campus de San Vicente
Carretera San Vicente del Raspeig
San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante 03690
Spain

Maximo Camacho

Autonomous University of Barcelona - Department of Economics ( email )

Avda. Diagonal 690
Barcelona, 08034
Spain

Universidad de Murcia - Departamento de Metodos Cuantitativos ( email )

Campus de Espinardo
30100 Murcia
Spain
+34 968 367 982 (Phone)

Gabriel Perez-Quiros

Banco de España ( email )

Madrid 28014
Spain

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