Testing for Cointegration in Nonlinear STAR Error Correction Models

In this paper we propose a new testing procedure to detect the presence of a cointegrating relationship that follows a globally stationary smooth transition autoregressive (STAR) process. We start from a general VAR model, embed the STAR error correction mechanism (ECM) and then derive the generalised nonlinear STAR error correction model. We provide two operational versions of the tests. Firstly, we obtain the associated nonlinear ECM-based test. Secondly, we generalise the well-known residual-based test for cointegration in linear models by Engle and Granger (1987) and obtain its nonlinear analogue. We derive the relevant asymptotic distributions of the proposed tests. We find via Monte Carlo simulation exercises that our proposed tests have much better power than the Engle and Granger test against the alternative of a globally stationary STAR cointegrating process. In an application to the price-dividend relationship, we also find that our test is able to find cointegration, whereas the linear-based tests fail to do so. Further analysis of impulse response functions of error correction terms (under the alternative) shows that the time taken to recover one half of a one standard deviation shock varies between five and twenty years, whereas the time taken to recover one half of a large shock varies between just 4 to 18 months. This clearly implies that data periods dominated by extreme volatility may display substantial mean reversion of the price-dividend relationship. By contrast this relationship may well look like a unit root when the underlying shocks take on smaller values.Unit roots, Globally stationary cointegrating processes, Nonlinear exponential smooth transition autoregressive error correction models, Monte Carlo simulations, Prices and dividends

Real exchange rate dynamics in transition economies : a nonlinear analysis

We examine the behavior of the real exchange rates of nine transition economies during the 1990s. We propose an empirical model rationalized on the basis of standard economic models in the tradition of Mundell-Fleming-Dornbusch and Harrod-Balassa-Samuelson, allowing explicitly for real interest rate differentials and (implicitly) for productivity differentials to have an impact on real exchange rate equilibrium and employing nonlinear modeling techniques that are consistent with recently developed economic theories and observed regularities. Using a nonlinear multivariate generalization of the Beveridge-Nelson decomposition applied to our models, we also identify the permanent and temporary components of these real exchange rates implied by our estimates. The results have a natural interpretation and clear policy implications

Selectivity, market timing and the morningstar star-rating system

This paper evaluates the Morningstar mutual fund ranking system. We find that indeed higher Morningstar ratings are associated with higher returns on the portfolios including respectively five-, four-, three-, two- and one-star funds only (STAR5 to STAR1). We then perform an unconditional and conditional portfolio performance evaluation. In both cases the evidence suggests that the better performance of the STAR3, STAR4 and STAR5 categories reflects superior stock selection rather than market timing abilities. Overall, the implication for the Morningstar ranking system is that this is most effective in identifying the worst-performing funds (STAR1 or STAR2) rather than the best-performing ones

Long-Run Links Among Money, Prices, and Output: World-Wide Evidence

Regarding inflation as being a monetary phenomenon in the long-run is a widely-held view in modern macro economics. We analyse this topic by means of a P-star model. Based on the quantity theory of money, this approach explains inflation via a supposed equilibrium price level (P-star), which itself depends on potential output and money. We investigate country-specific models for 110 economies, and also a pooled system thereof. We test for cointegration among money, prices, and real output. Moreover, parameter restrictions for the long-run relationships implied by the monetary theory are tested. Country specific P-star variables are constructed and the cointegration property between prices and the P-star variable is analysed. Along these lines, we find that actual prices and their P-star counterparts are cointegrated at the pooled level and thus demonstrate the importance of money for the development of prices. -- Die Aussage, dass Inflation langfristig ein monetäres Phänomen ist, ist eine grundlegende Erkenntnis der Makroökonomie. Dieser Sachverhalt wird in dieser Arbeit im Rahmen eines P-Stern-Modells analysiert. Ausgehend von der Quantitätstheorie des Geldes erklärt der P-Stern-Ansatz die Inflationsrate mit Hilfe eines berechneten Gleichgewichtspreisniveaus (P-Stern), das vom Produktionspotential und von einer Geldmenge abhängt. Wir untersuchen länderspezifische Modelle für 110 Volkswirtschaften und ein aus den Gleichungen bestehendes gepooltes System. Es wird auf Kointegration zwischen einer Geldmenge, einem Preisniveau und dem realen Output testet. Weiterhin werden die Parameterrestriktionen, die sich durch die monet¨are Theorie ergeben, für die langfristige Beziehung überprüft. Zusätzlich werden nationale P-Stern- Variablen konstruiert und es wird auf Kointegration zwischen diesen und den Preisen getestet. Im empirischen Teil finden wir, wenn die Variablen gepoolt werden, dass die aktuellen Preisniveaus mit den dazugehörenden P-Stern-Variablen kointegriert sind. Dies verdeutlicht die Wichtigkeit des Geldes für die Entwicklung der Preise.Quantity theory of money,Panel cointegration analysis,Wild bootstrap inference

Modelling Ireland’s Exchange Rates - From EMS to EMU

This paper attempts to model the nominal and real exchange rate for Ireland, relative to Germany and the UK from 1975 to 2003. It offers an overview of the theory of purchasing power parity (Ppp), focusing particularly on likely sources of nonlinearity. Potential difficulties in placing the analysis in the standard I(1)/I(0) framework are highlighted and comparisons with previous Irish studies are made. Tests for fractional integration and nonlinearity, including random field regressions, are discussed and applied. The results obtained highlight the likely inadequacies of the standard cointegration and Star approaches to modelling, and point instead to multiple structural changes models. Using this approach, both bilateral nominal exchange rates are effectively modelled, and in the case of Ireland and Germany, Ppp is found to be valid not only in the long run, but also in the medium term.Purchasing power parity; fractional Dickey-Fuller tests; smooth transition autoregression; random field regression; multiple structural changes models

Can asymmetries account for the empirical failure of the Fisher effect in South Africa?

This paper investigates whether unobserved asymmetries can account for irregularities in the Fisher effect for the exclusive case of South Africa. This objective is attained by investigating unit roots within a threshold auto-regressive (TAR) models and estimating a threshold vector error correction (TVEC) models for the data. The empirical analysis depicts significant long-run Fisher effects whereas such effects are deficient with regards to the short-run. These results improve on those obtained in preceding studies for South Africa, in the sense of being closely emulated with the original hypothesis as presented by Fisher (1907).South Africa, Fisher effect, Inflation, Interest Rates, Threshold Co-integration

Modelling Ireland’s exchange rates: from EMS to EMU

This paper attempts to model the nominal and real exchange rate for Ireland, relative to Germany and the UK from 1975 to 2003. It offers an overview of the theory of purchasing power parity (PPP), focusing particularly on likely sources of nonlinearity. Potential difficulties in placing the analysis in the standard I(1)/I(0) framework are highlighted and comparisons with previous Irish studies are made. Tests for fractional integration and nonlinearity, including random field regressions, are discussed and applied. The results obtained highlight the likely inadequacies of the standard cointegration and STAR approaches to modelling, and point instead to multiple structural changes models. Using this approach, both bilateral nominal exchange rates are effectively modelled, and in the case of Ireland and Germany, PPP is found to be valid not only in the long run, but also in the medium term. JEL Classification: C22, C51, F31, F41fractional Dickey-Fuller tests, multiple structural changes models, purchasing power parity, random field regression, smooth transition autoregression

Purchasing Power Parity: The Irish Experience Re-visited

This paper looks at issues surrounding the testing of purchasing power parity using Irish data. Potential difficulties in placing the analysis in an I(1)/I(0) framework are highlighted. Recent tests for fractional integration and nonlinearity are discussed and used to investigate the behaviour of the Irish exchange rate against the United Kingdom and Germany. Little evidence of fractionality is found but there is strong evidence of nonlinearity from a variety of tests. Importantly, when the nonlinearity is modelled using a random field regression, the data conform well to purchasing power parity theory, in contrast to the findings of previous Irish studies, whose results were very mixed.