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Actually, There is No Rotational Indeterminacy in the Approximate Factor Model

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  • Philipp Gersing

Abstract

We show that in the approximate factor model the population normalised principal components converge in mean square (up to sign) under the standard assumptions for $n\to \infty$. Consequently, we have a generic interpretation of what the principal components estimator is actually identifying and existing results on factor identification are reinforced and refined. Based on this result, we provide a new asymptotic theory for the approximate factor model entirely without rotation matrices. We show that the factors space is consistently estimated with finite $T$ for $n\to \infty$ while consistency of the factors a.k.a the $L^2$ limit of the normalised principal components requires that both $(n, T)\to \infty$.

Suggested Citation

  • Philipp Gersing, 2024. "Actually, There is No Rotational Indeterminacy in the Approximate Factor Model," Papers 2408.11676, arXiv.org, revised Oct 2024.
  • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:2408.11676
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bai, Jushan & Ng, Serena, 2013. "Principal components estimation and identification of static factors," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 176(1), pages 18-29.
    2. Jushan Bai & Serena Ng, 2002. "Determining the Number of Factors in Approximate Factor Models," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 70(1), pages 191-221, January.
    3. Chamberlain, Gary & Rothschild, Michael, 1983. "Arbitrage, Factor Structure, and Mean-Variance Analysis on Large Asset Markets," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 51(5), pages 1281-1304, September.
    4. Stock, James H & Watson, Mark W, 2002. "Macroeconomic Forecasting Using Diffusion Indexes," Journal of Business & Economic Statistics, American Statistical Association, vol. 20(2), pages 147-162, April.
    5. Chamberlain, Gary, 1983. "Funds, Factors, and Diversification in Arbitrage Pricing Models," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 51(5), pages 1305-1323, September.
    6. Stock J.H. & Watson M.W., 2002. "Forecasting Using Principal Components From a Large Number of Predictors," Journal of the American Statistical Association, American Statistical Association, vol. 97, pages 1167-1179, December.
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