Specification tests for non‐Gaussian maximum likelihood estimators

Abstract

We propose generalized DWH specification tests which simultaneously compare three or more likelihood‐based estimators in multivariate conditionally heteroskedastic dynamic regression models. Our tests are useful for Garch models and in many empirically relevant macro and finance applications involving Vars and multivariate regressions. We determine the rank of the differences between the estimators' asymptotic covariance matrices under correct specification, and take into account that some parameters remain consistently estimated under distributional misspecification. We provide finite sample results through Monte Carlo simulations. Finally, we analyze a structural Var proposed to capture the relationship between macroeconomic and financial uncertainty and the business cycle.