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Estimation of large precision matrices through block penalization

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  • Lam, Clifford

Abstract

This paper focuses on exploring the sparsity of the inverse covariance matrix $\bSigma^{-1}$, or the precision matrix. We form blocks of parameters based on each off-diagonal band of the Cholesky factor from its modified Cholesky decomposition, and penalize each block of parameters using the $L_2$-norm instead of individual elements. We develop a one-step estimator, and prove an oracle property which consists of a notion of block sign-consistency and asymptotic normality. In particular, provided the initial estimator of the Cholesky factor is good enough and the true Cholesky has finite number of non-zero off-diagonal bands, oracle property holds for the one-step estimator even if $p_n \gg n$, and can even be as large as $\log p_n = o(n)$, where the data $\y$ has mean zero and tail probability $P(|y_j| > x) \leq K\exp(-Cx^d)$, $d > 0$, and $p_n$ is the number of variables. We also prove an operator norm convergence result, showing the cost of dimensionality is just $\log p_n$. The advantage of this method over banding by Bickel and Levina (2008) or nested LASSO by Levina \emph{et al.} (2007) is that it allows for elimination of weaker signals that precede stronger ones in the Cholesky factor. A method for obtaining an initial estimator for the Cholesky factor is discussed, and a gradient projection algorithm is developed for calculating the one-step estimate. Simulation results are in favor of the newly proposed method and a set of real data is analyzed using the new procedure and the banding method.

Suggested Citation

  • Lam, Clifford, 2008. "Estimation of large precision matrices through block penalization," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 31543, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
  • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:31543
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    File URL: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/31543/
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Covariance matrix; high dimensionality; modified Cholesky decomposition; block penalty; block sign-consistency; oracle property.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C1 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General

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