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Lags, Leave-Outs and Fixed Effects

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Abstract

To avoid endogeneity, financial economists often construct regressors and/or instruments using values from other observations, with lagged and leave-out variables being common examples. We examine the use of such variables in common settings with fixed effects and show that it can induce bias and distort inference. We illustrate the severity of this problem via simulations and with patent examiner data. Even when scrambling the patent examiners, thus removing any instrument validity, the bias leads to a first-stage F-statistic over 1,000. General and case-specific solutions are provided.

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  • Alexander Chudik & Cameron M. Ellis & Johannes G. Jaspersen, 2025. "Lags, Leave-Outs and Fixed Effects," Working Papers 2536, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.
    • Handle: RePEc:fip:feddwp:101895
    DOI: 10.24149/wp2536
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    JEL classification:

    • C13 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Estimation: General
    • C36 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Instrumental Variables (IV) Estimation
    • D22 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis
    • K0 - Law and Economics - - General

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