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Opening The Black Box: Structural Factor Models With Large Cross Sections

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  • Forni, Mario
  • Giannone, Domenico
  • Lippi, Marco
  • Reichlin, Lucrezia

Abstract

This paper shows how large-dimensional dynamic factor models are suitable for structural analysis. We argue that all identification schemes employed in structural vector autoregression (SVAR) analysis can be easily adapted in dynamic factor models. Moreover, the “problem of fundamentalness,” which is intractable in SVARs, can be solved, provided that the impulse-response functions are sufficiently heterogeneous. We provide consistent estimators for the impulse-response functions and for (n, T) rates of convergence. An exercise with U.S. macroeconomic data shows that our solution of the fundamentalness problem may have important empirical consequences.

Suggested Citation

  • Forni, Mario & Giannone, Domenico & Lippi, Marco & Reichlin, Lucrezia, 2009. "Opening The Black Box: Structural Factor Models With Large Cross Sections," Econometric Theory, Cambridge University Press, vol. 25(5), pages 1319-1347, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:etheor:v:25:y:2009:i:05:p:1319-1347_09
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    JEL classification:

    • E0 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General
    • C1 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General

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