The paradigm of a factor model is very appealing and has been used extensively in economic analyses. Underlying the factor model is the idea that a large number of economic variables can be adequately modelled by a small number of indicator variables. Throughout this extensive research activity on large dimensional factor models a major preoccupation has been the development of tools for determining the number of factors needed for modelling. This paper provides builds on the work of Kapetanios (2004) to provide an alternative method to information criteria as a tool for estimating the number of factors in large dimensional factor models. The new method is robust to considerable cross-sectional and temporal dependence. The theoretical properties of the method are explored and an extensive Monte Carlo study is undertaken. Results are favourable for the new method and suggest that it is a reasonable alternative to existing methods.
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Paper provided by Queen Mary, University of London, Department of Economics in its series Working Papers with number
551.
Find related papers by JEL classification: C12 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods: General - - - Hypothesis Testing C15 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods: General - - - Statistical Simulation Methods C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data
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