Finite-sample size distortion of the AESTAR unit root test: GARCH, corrected variance–covariance matrix estimators and adjusted critical values

Steve Cook

Applied Economics Letters, 2016, vol. 23, issue 5, 318-323

Abstract: The behaviour of the asymmetric exponential smooth transition autoregressive (AESTAR) unit root test, which allows for asymmetric and nonlinear reversion to equilibrium, is examined in the presence of generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH). It is found that while the test is relatively robust in the presence of ‘low volatility’ GARCH processes, it exhibits substantial size distortion when large values of the volatility parameter are considered. Attempted resolution via the routine application of heteroscedasticity consistent (or ‘corrected’) covariance matrix estimators (HCCMEs) is shown to result in overwhelming size distortion due to their impact upon the finite-sample distribution of the underlying test statistic. However, application of a corrected HCCME, in combination with critical values derived specifically under its use, results in the control of test size. Analogous results for the Dickey–Fuller (1979) test are presented to permit comparison with a test considering linear, symmetric adjustment. It is found that the AESTAR test is subject to far greater distortion than its linear, symmetric alternative. In summary, the results indicate that caution must be exercised when applying the AESTAR test to macroeconomic and financial time series, particularly if routine application of corrected covariance matrix estimators occurs.

Date: 2016
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://hdl.handle.net/10.1080/13504851.2015.1071467 (text/html)
Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:taf:apeclt:v:23:y:2016:i:5:p:318-323

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.tandfonline.com/pricing/journal/RAEL20

DOI: 10.1080/13504851.2015.1071467

Access Statistics for this article

Applied Economics Letters is currently edited by Anita Phillips

More articles in Applied Economics Letters from Taylor & Francis Journals
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Chris Longhurst ().