A consistent characteristic function-based test for conditional independence

Author

Listed:
• Su, Liangjun
• White, Halbert

Abstract

This paper proposes a nonparametric test of conditional independence based on the notion that two conditional distributions are equal if and only if the corresponding conditional characteristic functions are equal. We use the functional delta method to expand the test statistic around the population truth and establish asymptotic normality under $\beta -$mixing conditions. We show that the test is consistent and has power against local alternatives at distance $n^{-1/2}h_{1}^{-(d_{1}+d_{3})/4}.$ The cases for which not all random variables of interest are\ continuously valued or observable are also treated, and we show that the test is nuisance-parameter free. Simulation results suggest that the test has better finite sample performance than the Hellinger metric test of Su and White (2002) in detecting nonlinear Granger causality in the mean. Applications to exchange rates and to stock prices and trading volumes indicate that our test can reveal some interesting nonlinear causal relations that the traditional linear Granger causality test fails to detect.
(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)

Suggested Citation

• Su, Liangjun & White, Halbert, 2007. "A consistent characteristic function-based test for conditional independence," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 141(2), pages 807-834, December.
• Handle: RePEc:eee:econom:v:141:y:2007:i:2:p:807-834
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File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304-4076(06)00237-5

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References listed on IDEAS

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Citations

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Cited by:

1. Yu-Chin Hsu & Ta-Cheng Huang & Haiqing Xu, 2018. "Testing for unobserved heterogeneous treatment effects in a nonseparable model with endogenous selection," Papers 1803.07514, arXiv.org.
2. Chen, Bin & Hong, Yongmiao, 2011. "Generalized spectral testing for multivariate continuous-time models," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 164(2), pages 268-293, October.
3. Huang, Meng & Sun, Yixiao & White, Halbert, 2016. "A Flexible Nonparametric Test For Conditional Independence," Econometric Theory, Cambridge University Press, vol. 32(06), pages 1434-1482, December.
4. repec:wyi:journl:002117 is not listed on IDEAS
5. Cheng, Yu-Hsiang & Huang, Tzee-Ming, 2012. "A conditional independence test for dependent data based on maximal conditional correlation," Journal of Multivariate Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 210-226.
6. de Luna Xavier & Johansson Per, 2014. "Testing for the Unconfoundedness Assumption Using an Instrumental Assumption," Journal of Causal Inference, De Gruyter, vol. 2(2), pages 1-13, September.
7. Bertrand Candelon & Sessi Tokpavi, 2016. "A Nonparametric Test for Granger Causality in Distribution With Application to Financial Contagion," Journal of Business & Economic Statistics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 34(2), pages 240-253, April.
8. Taoufik Bouezmarni & Jeroen V.K. Rombouts & Abderrahim Taamouti, 2011. "Nonparametric Copula-Based Test for Conditional Independence with Applications to Granger Causality," Journal of Business & Economic Statistics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 30(2), pages 275-287, October.
9. Li, Haiqi & Zhong, Wanling & Park, Sung Y., 2016. "Generalized cross-spectral test for nonlinear Granger causality with applications to money–output and price–volume relations," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 52(PB), pages 661-671.
10. Matos, João Manuel Gonçalves Amaro de & Fernandes, Marcelo, 2001. "Testing the Markov property with ultra high frequency financial data," FGV/EPGE Economics Working Papers (Ensaios Economicos da EPGE) 414, FGV/EPGE - Escola Brasileira de Economia e Finanças, Getulio Vargas Foundation (Brazil).
11. repec:wyi:journl:002142 is not listed on IDEAS
12. Chen, Bin & Song, Zhaogang, 2013. "Testing whether the underlying continuous-time process follows a diffusion: An infinitesimal operator-based approach," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 173(1), pages 83-107.
13. Nianqing Liu & Quang Vuong & Haiqing Xu, 2012. "Rationalization and Identification of Discrete Games with Correlated Types," Department of Economics Working Papers 130915, The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Economics.
14. Amaro de Matos, Joao & Fernandes, Marcelo, 2007. "Testing the Markov property with high frequency data," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 141(1), pages 44-64, November.
15. Su, Liangjun & White, Halbert, 2014. "Testing conditional independence via empirical likelihood," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 182(1), pages 27-44.
16. repec:eee:ecolet:v:156:y:2017:i:c:p:162-167 is not listed on IDEAS
17. Chuang, Chia-Chang & Kuan, Chung-Ming & Lin, Hsin-Yi, 2009. "Causality in quantiles and dynamic stock return-volume relations," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 33(7), pages 1351-1360, July.
18. Nadarajah, Saralees & Chan, Stephen & Afuecheta, Emmanuel, 2013. "On the characteristic function for asymmetric Student t distributions," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 121(2), pages 271-274.
19. Xiangdong Long & Liangjun Su & Aman Ullah, 2011. "Estimation and Forecasting of Dynamic Conditional Covariance: A Semiparametric Multivariate Model," Journal of Business & Economic Statistics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 29(1), pages 109-125, January.
20. Bin Chen & Yongmiao Hong, 2013. "Characteristic Function-Based Testing for Multifactor Continuous-Time Markov Models via Nonparametri," WISE Working Papers 2013-10-14, Wang Yanan Institute for Studies in Economics (WISE), Xiamen University.
21. repec:eee:econom:v:201:y:2017:i:2:p:249-268 is not listed on IDEAS
22. Xiangdong Long & Liangjun Su & Aman Ullah, 2009. "Estimation and Forecasting of Dynamic Conditional Covariance: A Semiparametric Multivariate Model Variables with Econometric Applications," Working Papers 200908, University of California at Riverside, Department of Economics, revised Jul 2009.

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