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Finite State Markov-Chain Approximations to Highly Persistent Processes

Author

Listed:
  • Karen A. Kopecky

    (Department of Economics, The University of Western Ontario)

  • Richard M. H. Suen

    (Department of Economics, University of California Riverside)

Abstract

This paper re-examines the Rouwenhorst method of approximating first-order autoregressive processes. This method is appealing because it can match the conditional and unconditional mean, the conditional and unconditional variance and the first-order autocorrelation of any AR(1) process. This paper provides the first formal proof of this and other results. When comparing to five other methods, the Rouwenhorst method has the best performance in approximating the business cycle moments generated by the stochastic growth model. It is shown that, equipped with the Rouwenhorst method, an alternative approach to generating these moments has a higher degree of accuracy than the simulation method.

Suggested Citation

  • Karen A. Kopecky & Richard M. H. Suen, 2009. "Finite State Markov-Chain Approximations to Highly Persistent Processes," Working Papers 200904, University of California at Riverside, Department of Economics, revised May 2009.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucr:wpaper:200904
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Numerical Methods; Finite State Approximations; Optimal Growth Model;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C63 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Computational Techniques

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