Factor-augmented VAR Model Research Articles

Financial Condition Indices in an Incomplete Data Environment

Abstract We construct a Financial Conditions Index (FCI) for the United States using a dataset that features many missing observations. The novel combination of probabilistic principal component techniques and a Bayesian factor-augmented VAR model resolves the challenges posed by data points being unavailable within a high-frequency dataset. Even with up to 62 % of the data missing, the new approach yields a less noisy FCI that tracks the movement of 22 underlying financial variables more accurately both in-sample and out-of-sample.

Sources of emerging market business cycles: an open-economy factor-augmented VAR approach

ABSTRACT This paper constructs an open-economy factor-augmented VAR model to assess the dynamic effects of global shocks on emerging market economies and to quantify their relative importance in explaining macroeconomic fluctuations in emerging countries. An unexpected favourable shock to global demand and supply has a strong and positive effect on emerging markets, whereas an unanticipated rise in global interest rates and commodity prices leads to a significant decline in aggregate activity. Variance decomposition analysis implies that more than 80% of the variation in emerging market output growth can be attributed to the global shocks. In particular, the global demand shock is the most critical, explaining roughly 30% of the fluctuation in output growth. The global supply shock is closely associated with the medium-to-long-term variation in output growth, explaining about 17%, whereas the monetary policy and commodity price shocks are relatively relevant for the short-term variation, explaining about 20% respectively.

The Effects of National Fundamental Factors on Regional House Prices: A Factor-Augmented VAR Analysis

Using panel data from 30 regions in China during the period 1999:01–2020:12, this paper evaluates the effects of national fundamentals affecting the movement of regional house prices by estimating a factor-augmented VAR model. We construct and examine a hypothesis that national fundamentals affecting regional house prices, such as monetary policy (short-term interest rate and M2), real output, and inflation rate, may affect regional house prices through their impacts on common factors. The empirical results show that monetary shocks (both interest rate and M2) can significantly affect regional house prices, but the effects are pretty different across regions. However, the effects of the real output and inflation rate are less important. Therefore, this study offers valuable information for regulators to improve the effectiveness of monetary policy to stabilize house markets from a regional perspective.

The risk spillover effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on energy sector: Evidence from China

Detecting the adverse effects of major emergencies on financial markets and real economy is of great importance not only for short-term policy reactions but also for economic and financial stability. This is the lesson we learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper focuses on the risk spillover effect of the COVID-19 on Chinese energy industry using a high-dimensional and time-varying factor-augmented VAR model. The results show that the net volatility spillovers of the pandemic remain positive to all underlying energy sectors during January to June of 2020 and February to April of 2021. For the former sub-period, the volatility spillover of the COVID-19 is not only the highest, but also lasts longest for oil exploitation sector, followed by the power and gas sectors. While for the latter sub-period, the COVID-19 has relatively higher volatility spillovers to the power, coal mining and petrochemical sectors. These findings suggest that the COVID-19 has significant risk spillover effects on Chinese energy sectors, and the effects vary among different energy sub-sectors and across different periods of time.

What Drives Emerging Stock Market Returns? A Factor-Augmented VAR Approach

ABSTRACT This paper explores the dynamic relationship between global economic factors and emerging stock returns within a factor-augmented VAR model. I find that favorable global growth and stock market shocks have significant positive effects on emerging equity returns, whereas global uncertainty and US dollar exchange rate shocks cause a substantial fall in the returns. Global oil shocks lead to a transient increase in emerging stock returns, followed by a gradual decline. Variance decomposition analysis implies that the global uncertainty shock is the most important in the short run, explaining more than 30% of the fluctuation in emerging stock returns, while the US dollar exchange rate shock becomes the most critical in the long run, explaining more than 40%. These findings have crucial implications for international investors, as well as for policymakers in emerging market economies.

Government spending and heterogeneous consumption dynamics

What is the effect of government spending on consumption? Neoclassical and new Keynesian models deliver opposing predictions and empirical studies differ in their conclusions. This paper takes a data-driven approach and exploits information from over 200 variables via a Bayesian factor-augmented VAR model. I use sign restrictions for identifying effects that both classes of models agree upon. This approach imposes a minimal set of restrictions on the empirical model, leaving the sign and magnitude of the effect of government spending on consumption free to be determined by the data. I find that: (i) government spending increases aggregate consumption; (ii) the estimated spending multiplier is close to 2; (iii) there exists heterogeneity even within durable, nondurable, and service consumption variables which is undocumented in the literature. Finally, I show that my identified structural shocks are not predictable by economic agents and are uncorrelated with traditional monetary policy shocks, suggesting that these effects are not confounded by monetary policy.

Spillover Effects of Regional Apartment Business Cycles Using Factor-Augmented VAR Model

구는 FAVAR 모형을 이용하여 지역별 아파트 경기지수를 작성하고, 아파트 경기지 수의 적정성을 검증하고, 작성된 아파트 경기지수를 이용하여 지역별 아파트 경기의 전이 효과를 분석하였다. 실증분석결과, FAVAR 모형을 이용하여 작성한 전국아파트 경기지수와 통계청에서 발표 하는 경기동행지수 순환변동과 유사한 움직임을 보이며, 특히 2008년 금융위기와 그 이후의 경제 충격을 전국 아파트 경기지수가 잘 트레이싱(tracing)하는 것으로 분석되었으며, 전국 아파트 경기지수는 경기동행 순환변동을 약 4-5개월 정도 선행하는 것으로 나타났다. 지역별 아파트 경기지수 분석결과, 2008년 세계금융위기의 영향을 공통적으로 받은 것을 확인되었지만, 금융위기 이후에는 지역별 아파트 경기지수가 차이를 보이는 것으로 분석되었다. 이러한 결과는 중앙정부에서 시행한 부동산 정책에 대한 효과가 지역별로 다르게 나타날 수 있다는 것이며, 이는 부동산 정책을 시행할 때, 지역별 특성과 영향을 고려해야 함을 시사하는 것이다. 지역별 경기지수 전이효과를 종합하면, 아파트 경기지수는 서울과 수도권이 상호 영향을 주고 받으며, 부산에도 상당한 영향을 미치는 것을 확인할 수 있지만, 부산에서 서울과 수도권에 미치는 영향은 상대적으로 미미하다고 할 수 있다.We used the FAVAR model in order to estimate the regional apartment business cycles. We also analyzed the regional spillover effects by using the methodology suggested by Diebold and Yilmaz (2009, 2012). Based on this analysis, a similarity was found between the national apartment business cycle and the coincident composite index. In addition, the national apartment business cycle can be traced back to the 2008 financial crisis and subsequent economic shocks. The national apartment business cycle also led the coincident composite index by about 4-5 months. The analysis of the regional apartment business cycles showed that the regional apartment business cycles were commonly affected by the 2008 global financial crisis. However, the regional apartment business cycles varied after the financial crisis. These results indicate that the real estate policies of the government should be differentiated by region. Moreover, there is a difference between the economic environment of each region. We conclude that when implementing real estate policies, regional characteristics and impacts need to be considered. The analysis result of the transition effect of regional economic indexes showed that the apartment business cycles have a significant influence on both Busan and Seoul. However, Busan has a relatively small impact on Seoul and the metropolitan area.We estimate that the variation in Seoul’s apartment business cycle is only about 0.291 due to the change within Seoul, and that 0.709 of the transition effect is explained by the change in the other regions. Meanwhile, the transfer effect of Incheon to the other regions was 0.819.

Commodity price co-movement: heterogeneity and the time-varying impact of fundamentals

This paper extends the topical literature on the co-movement and determinants of primary commodity prices, by considering heterogeneity in commodities and time variation in the impact of fundamentals. We account for heterogeneity by employing a dynamic hierarchical factor model, which decomposes commodities into global and sectoral factors. Using a time varying parameter factor augmented VAR model, we shock global and sector-specific factors over time. We present plausible impulse responses to demand shocks, real interest rate shocks, and to elevated risks during the global financial crisis. We also identify that materials, food and metals respond heterogeneously to these shocks.

Constructing a Factor Augmented VAR Model to Analyze Transmission of Oil and Monetary Shocks to Iranian Economy

Constructing a Factor Augmented VAR Model to Analyze Transmission of Oil and Monetary Shocks to Iranian Economy

Assessing the effects of exchange rate depreciation on the US economy

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of exchange rate shock on the broad spectrum of the US economy using a factor-augmented VAR model (FAVAR).Design/methodology/approachThe authors developed a two-factor FAVAR model and estimated it with the single-step Bayesian likelihood approach using the Gibbs sampling technique. The two factors represented, respectively, the economic activity and price pressures. The exchange rate shock was identified with the Choleski decomposition method for VARs. The authors used the data of 117 time series for the period from 1973:02 to 2007:12. Impulse responses and variance decompositions were computed as the main results.FindingsThe authors found that exchange rate shock has pervasive effects on the US economy as the following: depreciation does not appear to help reduce the US trade deficit as both import and export rise with the depreciation shock; in the short run, depreciation appears expansionary as industrial production, manufacturing and employment all increase within a year; in the medium run, depreciation appears inflationary, as consumer price, producer price, import price and export price all increase; and in the medium run, depreciation appears contractionary as personal consumption, consumer confidence, stock price and housing start tend to fall.Research limitations/implicationsSome caveats remain: first, our simple model symmetrically estimates depreciation shock and appreciation shock and, hence, cannot draw inferences for how exchange rate appreciation and depreciation may affect the US economy asymmetrically. Second, the simple model used did not distinguish the different possible sources of exchange rate depreciation shock, the knowledge of which may lead to richer policy implications and is the direction of research for the future.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the literature of whether exchange rate is expansionary or contractionary to the US economy using the FAVAR model. This is the first comprehensive study in the literature studying the pervasive effects of the exchange rate on the broad spectrum of the US economy in one integrated model.

Did financial factors matter during the Great Recession?

Yes, they mattered. To reply to this question, we assess the predictive content of macroeconomic and financial latent factors on the key variables (Industrial Productivity, Short-term interest rate, and Inflation) during the Great Recession period (2007–2009) in the United States. In this respect, we propose a forecasting analysis using a Factor Augmented VAR model. When we estimate the model with only financial factors, we improve the predictions in the short and medium horizons. Meanwhile, when we estimate the model with only macroeconomic factors, we improve the forecasting performance in the longer horizon.

Are banking shocks contagious? Evidence from the eurozone

We analyze the transmission of shocks between global banking, domestic banking and the non-financial sector for eleven Eurozone countries. Using a Markov-switching Factor augmented VAR model, we distinguish between contagion, interdependence and decoupling as shock transmission mechanisms during the ‘crisis’ regime. Contagion played a role in propagating global banking shocks to the banking sectors of smaller states, exacerbating the crisis in these countries. In contrast, the non-financial sectors suffered little contagion from either external or domestic banking shocks, and generally managed to decouple from the banking industry – indicative of being able to source alternative financing and shield themselves from the crisis. However, shocks originating in the non-financial sector trigger contagious effects for both the domestic banking sector and, to a lesser extent global banking, thereby acting as a source of fragility for the financial sector during crisis periods.

The effects of the Fed’s monetary tightening campaign on nonbank mortgage lending

We examine the response of mortgage credit volumes to the Fed’s planned monetary tightening campaign of continued policy rate increases and slowed future purchases of agency securitized mortgages. A shadow policy rate measures unconventional policy tools used at the zero lower bound. After the Great Recession, our results from a time-varying parameter factor-augmented VAR model show that a policy rate increase identified with sign restrictions shifts mortgage lending from banks to less regulated nonbanks. More mortgage funding comes from increased issuance of agency rather than private-label securitized mortgages.

A Treatise on the TARGET2 Imbalances & Stagnation in Europe

Since the Global Financial Crisis, there have been two parallel issues faced by the Eurozone, Stagnation and TARGET2 imbalances. This study analyses the aspect of settling TARGET2 in an equitable and fair manner that could also resolve the issues of sluggish growth, deflation and high unemployment in Europe. It is proposed that the TARGET2 balances are settled by an adjustment to the monetary base in the EMU. Specifically, it implies that the Eurozone members are granted a right to settle their imbalances against Euro-system in proportion to their capital key weights. The proposed approach will have four order/tier effects which include, a) adjustment of monetary base at the EMU level, b) creation of additional liquidity in the Euros -system member states, c) creation of much needed fiscal space and d) cross-border spillovers among the EMU members. While keeping the bleak economic outlook of Eurozone in context, we analysed the implication of proposed mechanism at first tier using a Factor-Augmented VAR model on data from 2000Q1 to 2017Q1. Our key results suggest that such an approach would lead to a considerable increase in the real output growth, investment, consumption, gross fixed capital formation, stock markets as well as exports and imports of Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain. The magnitude of the proposed mechanism is comparable to the stimulative stance taken by authorities since the GFC and qualitative easing of “whatever it takes”. Comparatively, there are substantial gains for the TARGET2 surplus countries like Germany than the deficit countries as the former can address its public expenditure needs as well as settle large external surplus without breaching balanced budget act (Schuldenbremse). Given that, the adjustment will be based on the capital key weights and existing arrangements, the proposed approach is equitable, fair, and can be used as an unconventional tool by the ECB.

Spillover effects from Euro area monetary policy across Europe: A factor-augmented VAR approach

I analyze spillover effects from a Euro area monetary policy shock to fourteen European countries outside the Euro area. The analysis is based on a factor-augmented VAR model with two blocks, which exploits a large cross-country data set. After a Euro area monetary policy expansion, production increases in most non-Euro area countries, whereas short-term interest rates and financial uncertainty decline. These effects are on average comparable to the responses in the aggregate Euro area. However, the size of spillover effects varies with country characteristics. Spillovers on production are larger in non-Euro area economies with higher trade openness, whereas financial variables react to a higher extent in countries with higher financial integration. Regarding the exchange rate regime, countries with fixed exchange rates show stronger spillovers both in terms of production and interest rates. Finally, prices increase in Western European economies outside the Euro area, but decline or do not respond in Central and Eastern Europe.

Divergent EME Responses to Global and Domestic Monetary Policy Shocks

We assess the effect of tighter monetary policy in the U.S. and emerging market economies (EMEs) on EMEs using a panel factor-augmented VAR model. We find that a U.S. policy rate hike outstrips an equivalent domestic rate hike in its impacts on EMEs. In addition, EMEs show divergent policy responses and their macro-financial responses differ depending upon their economic fundamentals in the face of tighter U.S. policy. In particular, we find that high-inflation than low-inflation EMEs are more susceptible to the shock stemming from a U.S. federal funds rate hike.

A Comparison of Different Short-Term Macroeconomic Forecasting Models: Evidence from Armenia

Abstract We evaluate the forecasting performance of four competing models for short-term macroeconomic forecasting: the traditional VAR, small scale Bayesian VAR, Factor Augmented VAR and Bayesian Factor Augmented VAR models. Using Armenian quarterly actual macroeconomic time series from 1996Q1 – 2014Q4, we estimate parameters of four competing models. Based on the out-of-sample recursive forecast evaluations and using root mean squared error (RMSE) criterion we conclude that small scale Bayesian VAR and Bayesian Factor Augmented VAR models are more suitable for short-term forecasting than traditional unrestricted VAR model.

The World is Not Enough! Small Open Economies and Regional Dependence

This paper bridges the new open economy factor augmented VAR (FAVAR) studies with the recent findings in the business cycle synchronization literature emphasizing the importance of regional factors. That is, we estimate and identify a three block FAVAR model with separate world, regional and domestic blocks and study the transmission of both global and regional shocks to four small open economies (Canada, New Zealand, Norway and UK). The results show that foreign shocks explain a major share of the variance in all countries, most so shocks that are common to the world. However, regional shocks also play an important role, explaining more than 20 percent of the variance in the variables. Hence in small open economies, the world is not enough. The regional factors impact the four countries differently, though, some through trade and some through consumer sentiment. Our findings of a strong transmission of both global and regional shocks to open economies are in sharp contrast to the evidence from recently developed open economy DSGE models.

Divergent EME Responses to Global and Domestic Monetary Policy Shocks

We assess the effect of tighter monetary policy in the U.S. and emerging market economies (EMEs) on EMEs using a panel factor-augmented VAR model. We find that a U.S. policy rate hike outstrips an equivalent domestic rate hike in its impacts on EMEs. In addition, EMEs show divergent policy responses and their macro-financial responses differ depending upon their economic fundamentals in the face of tighter U.S. policy. In particular, we find that high-inflation than low-inflation EMEs are more susceptible to the shock stemming from a U.S. federal funds rate hike.

Understanding the Response of Indian Banks to Macro-Economic Shocks: A Strategy Perspective

The vulnerability of banks to macroeconomic and financial shocks is an area of growing interest to policymakers, especially in emerging markets. Strong adverse aggregate shocks contribute heavily to loan losses when banks are highly exposed to such shocks. I intend to understand the heterogeneity in Indian bank risk responses to macro shocks. Based on the work of Buch et al. (2010), I intend to discuss how macro factors effect bank risk. Using Factor augmented VAR model, I will allow macroeconomic factors to affect bank risk, when macroeconomic factors themselves are modelled as a function of banking variables. We examine if discriminating strategies impact risk responsiveness of Indian commercial banks to macro-economic shocks using Factor augmented VaR approach for quarterly periods during 2002-13.