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Numerical implementation of the QuEST function

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  • Ledoit, Olivier
  • Wolf, Michael

Abstract

Certain estimation problems involving the covariance matrix in large dimensions are considered. Due to the breakdown of finite-dimensional asymptotic theory when the dimension is not negligible with respect to the sample size, it is necessary to resort to an alternative framework known as large-dimensional asymptotics. Recently, an estimator of the eigenvalues of the population covariance matrix has been proposed that is consistent according to a mean-squared criterion under large-dimensional asymptotics. It requires numerical inversion of a multivariate nonrandom function called the QuEST function. The numerical implementation of this QuEST function in practice is explained through a series of six successive steps. An algorithm is provided in order to compute the Jacobian of the QuEST function analytically, which is necessary for numerical inversion via a nonlinear optimizer. Monte Carlo simulations document the effectiveness of the code.

Suggested Citation

  • Ledoit, Olivier & Wolf, Michael, 2017. "Numerical implementation of the QuEST function," Computational Statistics & Data Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 199-223.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:csdana:v:115:y:2017:i:c:p:199-223
    DOI: 10.1016/j.csda.2017.06.004
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    1. Ledoit, Olivier & Wolf, Michael, 2004. "A well-conditioned estimator for large-dimensional covariance matrices," Journal of Multivariate Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 88(2), pages 365-411, February.
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    6. Tsubasa Ito & Tatsuya Kubokawa, 2015. "Linear Ridge Estimator of High-Dimensional Precision Matrix Using Random Matrix Theory ," CIRJE F-Series CIRJE-F-995, CIRJE, Faculty of Economics, University of Tokyo.
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    12. Robert F. Engle & Olivier Ledoit & Michael Wolf, 2019. "Large Dynamic Covariance Matrices," Journal of Business & Economic Statistics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 37(2), pages 363-375, April.
    13. repec:bla:jfinan:v:58:y:2003:i:4:p:1651-1684 is not listed on IDEAS
    14. Olivier Ledoit & Michael Wolf, 2014. "Nonlinear shrinkage of the covariance matrix for portfolio selection: Markowitz meets Goldilocks," ECON - Working Papers 137, Department of Economics - University of Zurich, revised Feb 2017.
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Zhao Zhao & Olivier Ledoit & Hui Jiang, 2019. "Risk reduction and efficiency increase in large portfolios: leverage and shrinkage," ECON - Working Papers 328, Department of Economics - University of Zurich, revised Jan 2020.
    2. Carlos Trucíos & Mauricio Zevallos & Luiz K. Hotta & André A. P. Santos, 2019. "Covariance Prediction in Large Portfolio Allocation," Econometrics, MDPI, vol. 7(2), pages 1-24, May.
    3. Olivier Ledoit & Michael Wolf, 2019. "Quadratic shrinkage for large covariance matrices," ECON - Working Papers 335, Department of Economics - University of Zurich, revised Dec 2020.
    4. Ledoit, Olivier & Wolf, Michael, 2021. "Shrinkage estimation of large covariance matrices: Keep it simple, statistician?," Journal of Multivariate Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 186(C).
    5. Olivier Ledoit & Michael Wolf, 2019. "Shrinkage estimation of large covariance matrices: keep it simple, statistician?," ECON - Working Papers 327, Department of Economics - University of Zurich, revised Jun 2021.
    6. Robert F. Engle & Olivier Ledoit & Michael Wolf, 2019. "Large Dynamic Covariance Matrices," Journal of Business & Economic Statistics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 37(2), pages 363-375, April.
    7. Maaz Mahadi & Tarig Ballal & Muhammad Moinuddin & Tareq Y. Al-Naffouri & Ubaid Al-Saggaf, 2022. "Portfolio Optimization Using a Consistent Vector-Based MSE Estimation Approach," Papers 2204.05611, arXiv.org.
    8. Moura, Guilherme V. & Santos, André A. P., 2019. "Comparing Forecasts of Extremely Large Conditional Covariance Matrices," DES - Working Papers. Statistics and Econometrics. WS 29291, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. Departamento de Estadística.
    9. Anatolyev, Stanislav & Pyrlik, Vladimir, 2022. "Copula shrinkage and portfolio allocation in ultra-high dimensions," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    10. Joel Bun & Jean-Philippe Bouchaud & Marc Potters, 2016. "Cleaning large correlation matrices: tools from random matrix theory," Papers 1610.08104, arXiv.org.
    11. Seonghun Cho & Shota Katayama & Johan Lim & Young-Geun Choi, 2021. "Positive-definite modification of a covariance matrix by minimizing the matrix $$\ell_{\infty}$$ ℓ ∞ norm with applications to portfolio optimization," AStA Advances in Statistical Analysis, Springer;German Statistical Society, vol. 105(4), pages 601-627, December.
    12. da Costa, B. Freitas Paulo & Pesenti, Silvana M. & Targino, Rodrigo S., 2023. "Risk budgeting portfolios from simulations," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 311(3), pages 1040-1056.
    13. Moura, Guilherme V. & Santos, André A.P. & Ruiz, Esther, 2020. "Comparing high-dimensional conditional covariance matrices: Implications for portfolio selection," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Large-dimensional asymptotics; Numerical optimization; Random Matrix Theory; Spectrum estimation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C13 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Estimation: General
    • C61 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Optimization Techniques; Programming Models; Dynamic Analysis
    • C87 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Econometric Software

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