A simple multivariate test for asymmetry

Authors: Bjellerup, Mårten¹; Holgersson, Thomas²

Source: Applied Economics, Volume 41, Number 11, May 2009 , pp. 1405-1416(12)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $49.55 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

Since many macroeconomic models are linear, it is not desirable to use them with an asymmetric dependent variable. In this article, we formulate a univariate test for symmetry, based on the third central moment and extend it to a multivariate test; the test does not require modelling and it is robust against serial correlation, Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity (ARCH) and nonnormality. In the empirical application of the test it is found that orthodox theory seem to be supported; consumption expenditure on durable goods is found to be symmetric while consumption expenditure on nondurable goods is asymmetric for the USA and the UK, with peaks being higher than troughs are deep. Also, the empirical importance of the choice between the univariate and the multivariate test for possibly correlated series is underscored; the results from the two approaches clearly differ. Given the widespread practice of using consumption expenditure on nondurable goods as the dependent variable in linear models for the USA and the UK, our results might be noteworthy.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00036840500428146

Affiliations: 1: Ministry of Finance, 103 33 Stockholm, Sweden 2: Jonkoping International Business School, Box 1026, 55111 11, Jonkoping, Sweden

Publication date: 2009-05-01

More about this publication?