Robust Estimation of Tail Parameters for Two-Parameter Pareto and Exponential Models via Generalized Quantile Statistics

Abstract

Robust estimation of tail index parameters is treated for (equivalent) two-parameter Pareto and exponential models. These distributions arise as parametric models in actuarial science, economics, telecommunications, and reliability, for example, as well as in semiparametric modeling of upper observations in samples from distributions which are regularly varying or in the domain of attraction of extreme value distributions. New estimators of “generalized quantile” type are introduced and compared with several well-established estimators, for the purpose of identifying which estimators provide favorable trade-offs between efficiency and robustness. Specifically, we examine asymptotic relative efficiency with respect to the (efficient but nonrobust) maximum likelihood estimator, and breakdown point. The new estimators, in particular the generalized median types, are found to dominate well-established and popular estimators corresponding to methods of trimming, least squares, and quantiles. Further, we establish that the least squares estimator is actually deficient with respect to both criteria and should become disfavored. The generalized median estimators manifest a general principle: “smoothing” followed by “medianing” produces a favorable trade-off between efficiency and robustness.