Jump or kink: on super-efficiency in segmented linear regression breakpoint estimation

Abstract

Summary We consider the problem of segmented linear regression with a single breakpoint, with the focus on estimating the location of the breakpoint. If $n$ is the sample size, we show that the global minimax convergence rate for this problem in terms of the mean absolute error is $O(n^{-1/3})$. On the other hand, we demonstrate the construction of a super-efficient estimator that achieves the pointwise convergence rate of either $O(n^{-1})$ or $O(n^{-1/2})$ for every fixed parameter value, depending on whether the structural change is a jump or a kink. The implications of this example and a potential remedy are discussed.