Finite-sample generalized confidence distributions and sign-based robust estimators in median regressions with heterogeneous dependent errors

Elise Coudin and Jean-Marie Dufour

Econometric Reviews, 2020, vol. 39, issue 8, 763-791

Abstract: We study the problem of estimating the parameters of a linear median regression without any assumption on the shape of the error distribution – including no condition on the existence of moments – allowing for heterogeneity (or heteroskedasticity) of unknown form, noncontinuous distributions, and very general serial dependence (linear and nonlinear). This is done through a reverse inference approach, based on a distribution-free sign-based testing theory, from which confidence sets and point estimators are subsequently generated. We propose point estimators, which have a natural association with confidence distributions. These estimators are based on maximizing test p-values and inherit robustness properties from the generating distribution-free tests. Both finite-sample and large-sample properties of the proposed estimators are established under weak regularity conditions. We show that they are median-unbiased (under symmetry and estimator unicity) and possess equivariance properties. Consistency and asymptotic normality are established without any moment existence assumption on the errors. A Monte Carlo study of bias and RMSE shows sign-based estimators perform better than LAD-type estimators in various heteroskedastic settings. We illustrate the use of sign-based estimators on an example of β-convergence of output levels across U.S. states.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1080/07474938.2020.1772568

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