Automatic Lag Selection in Covariance Matrix Estimation

Kenneth D. West, Whitney K. Newey

NBER Technical Working Paper No. 144
Issued in February 1995
NBER Program(s):   EFG

We propose a nonparametric method for automatically selecting the number of autocovariances to use in computing a heteroskedasticity and autocorrelation consistent covariance matrix. For a given kernel for weighting the autocovariances, we prove that our procedure is asymptotically equivalent to one that is optimal under a mean squared error loss function. Monte Carlo simulations suggest that our procedure performs tolerably well, although it does result in size distortions.

(1281 K)

Published:

• Review of Economic Studies, 1994, 61, pp 631-653 ,
• "A Comparison of Alternative Instrumental Variables Estimators of a Dynamic Linear Model," (with David Wilcox) Journal of Business and Economic Statistics 14 (1996), pp. 281-293.

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