Method-of-moments estimators of stable distribution parameters

A method is developed for estimating the four parameters of stable Paretian distributions. Based on a procedure proposed by an earlier researcher but never developed, the method proves to be mathematically simple and easy to apply. The method is extensively tested and sampling properties of the estimators are studied, providing approximate confidence intervals for the estimators.     

Simplification of joint confidence regions for the parameters of the Pareto distribution

The Pareto distribution is an important distribution in statistics, which has been widely used in economics to model the distribution of incomes. Separate interval estimations for parameters of the Pareto distribution have been well established in the literature. For a type-II right censored sample, Chen (Metrika 44:191–197, 1996) proposed a joint confidence region for the parameters. Wu (Comput Stat Data Anal 52:3779–3788, 2008) derived a joint confidence region for any type-II censored sample, but its computation is difficult. Both Wu’s and Chen’s results are simplified in this paper, and some errors are corrected. The methodology used in this article can be applied to other distributions, as long as the underlying distribution can be transformed to the standard exponential distribution in a simple way.     

Testing for a multivariate generalized Pareto distribution

It has recently been shown by Rootzén and Tajvidi (Bernoulli, 12:917–930, 2006) that modelling exceedances of a random variable over a high threshold (peaks-over-threshold approach [POT]) can also in the multivariate setup be done rationally only by a multivariate generalized Pareto distribution (GPD). The selection of a proper threshold is, however, a crucial problem. The contribution of this paper is twofold: We develop first a non asymptotic and exact level-α test based on the single-sample t-test, which checks whether multivariate data are actually generated by a multivariate GPD. Secondly, this procedure is utilized for the derivation of a t-test based threshold selection rule in multivariate peaks-over-threshold models. The application to a hydrological data set illustrates this approach.      

Consistency of change point estimators for symmetrical stable distribution with parameters shift

Assume that the characteristic indexαof stable distribution satisfies 1<α<2,and that the distribution is symmetrical about its mean.We consider the change point estimators for stable distribution withαor scale parameterβshift.For the one case that mean is a known constant,ifαorβchanges,then density function will change too.To this end,we suppose the kernel estimation for a change point.For the other case that mean is an unknown constant,we suppose to apply empirical characteristic function to estimate the change-point location.In the two cases,we consider the consistency and strong convergence rate of estimators.Furthermore,we consider the mean shift case.If mean changes,then corresponding characteristic function will change too.To this end,we also apply empirical characteristic function to estimate change point.We obtain the similar convergence rate.Finally,we consider its application on the detection of mean shift in financial market.     

On a multivariate Pareto distribution

A multivariate distribution possessing arbitrarily parameterized Pareto margins is formulated and studied. The distribution is believed to allow for an adequate modeling of dependent heavy tailed risks with a non-zero probability of simultaneous loss. Numerous links to certain existing probabilistic models, as well as seemingly useful characteristic results are proved. Expressions for, e.g., decumulative distribution functions, densities, (joint) moments and regressions are developed. An application to the classical pricing problem is considered, and some formulas are derived using the recently introduced economic weighted premium calculation principles.     

Asymptotic properties of the estimators of the Weibull distribution parameters

The properties of the maximum likelihood and moment estimators are investigated for the three-dimensional Weibull distribution in the case of arbitrary values of the shape parameter.Translated from Zapiski Nauchnykh Seminarov Leningradskogo Otdeleniya Matematicheskogo Instituta im. V. A. Steklova AN SSSR, Vol. 166, pp. 9–16, 1988.     

The convergent rate of empirical bayes estimators for parameters of normal distribution family

This paper is a continuance of [1]. In [1] the empirical Bayes estimator of the parameter vector of normal distribution family was introduced, and for the loss function (1) its asymptotically optimal property was proved with respect to the prior distribution family (2). In this paper its convergent rate is given under stronger conditions than (2) for the prior distributions.Institute of Systems Science, Academia Sinica     

An asymptotic expansion for the distribution of asymptotic maximum likelihood estimators of vector parameters

It is shown that the probability that a suitably standardized asymptotic maximum likelihood estimator of a vector parameter (i.e., an estimator which approximates the solution of the likelihood equation in a reasonably good way) lies in a measurable convex set can be approximated by an integral involving a multidimensional normal density function and a series in $\text{n}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>?1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ with certain polynomials as coefficients.     

Control charts for the Pareto distribution

The Pareto distribution plays an important role in various areas of researchIn this paper, the average run length(ARL) unbiased control charts, which monitor the shape and threshold parameters of the Pareto distribution respectively, are proposed when the incontrol parameters are knownThe effects of parameter estimation on the performance of the proposed control charts are also studiedResults show that the control charts with the estimated parameters are not suitable to be used in the known parameter case, thus the ARL-unbiased control charts for the shape and threshold parameters with the desired ARL0, which consider the variability of the parameter estimates, are further developedThe performance of the proposed control charts is investigated in terms of the ARLFinally, an example is given to illustrate the proposed control charts.     

Sampling distribution for a class of estimators for nonregular linear processes

Let {X_t; t = 1, 2,…} be a linear process with a location parameter θ defined by X_t ? θ = Σ₀^∞g_rZ_t?r where {Z_t; t = 0, ±1,…} is a sequence of independent and identically distributed random variables, with E∥Z₁∥^δ < ∞ for some δ > 0. If δ ? 1 we assume further than E(Z₁) = 0. Let η = δ if 0 < δ < 2, and η = 2 if δ ? 2. Then assume that Σ₀^∞∥ g_r ∥^η < ∞. Consider the class of estimators $\text{θ}\text{∧}{}_{\mathrm{n}}$ given by $\text{θ}\text{∧}{}_{\mathrm{n}}\text{= Σ}{}_1{}^{\mathrm{n}}\text{c}{}_{\mathrm{nt}}\text{X}{}_{\mathrm{t}}\text{where}\text{c}{}_{\mathrm{nt}}$ is of the form c_nt = Σ_{p = 0}^sβ_npt^p for some s ? 0. An attempt has been made to investigate the distributional properties of $\text{θ}\text{∧}{}_{\mathrm{n}}$ in large samples for various choices of β_np (0 ? p ? s), s, and the distribution of Z₁ under the constraints Σ₀^∞r^kg_r = 0, 0 ? k ? q where q in an arbitrary integer, 0 ? q ? s.     

Some modifications of improved estimators of a normal variance

Consider the problem of estimating a normal variance based on a random sample when the mean is unknown. Scale equivariant estimators which improve upon the best scale and translation equivariant one have been proposed by several authors for various loss functions including quadratic loss. However, at least for quadratic loss function, improvement is not much. Herein, some methods are proposed to construct improving estimators which are not scale equivariant and are expected to be considerably better when the true variance value is close to the specified one. The idea behind the methods is to modify improving equivariant shrinkage estimators, so that the resulting ones shrink little when the usual estimate is less than the specified value and shrink much more otherwise. Sufficient conditions are given for the estimators to dominate the best scale and translation equivariant rule under the quadratic loss and the entropy loss. Further, some results of a Monte Carlo experiment are reported which show the significant improvements by the proposed estimators.     

Modelling lifetime dependence for older ages using a multivariate Pareto distribution

The main driver of longevity risk is uncertainty in old-age mortality, especially surrounding potential dependence structures. We investigate a multivariate Pareto distribution that allows for the exploration of a variety of applications, from portfolios of standard annuities to joint-life annuity products for couples. Given the anticipated continued increase of supercentenarians, the heavy-tailed nature of the Pareto distribution is appropriate for this application. In past work, it has been shown that even a little dependence between lives can lead to much higher uncertainty. Therefore, the ability to assess and incorporate the appropriate dependence structure, whilst allowing for extreme observations, significantly improves the pricing and risk management of life-benefit products.     

Asymptotic bounds for estimators without limit distribution

Let be a general family of probability measures,κ : a functional, and the optimal limit distribution for regular estimator sequences of κ. On intervals symmetric about 0, the concentration of this optimal limit distribution can be surpassed by the asymptotic concentration of an arbitrary estimator sequence only forP in a “small” subset of . For asymptotically median unbiased estimator sequences the same is true for arbitrary intervals containing 0. The emphasis of the paper is on “pointwise” conditions for , as opposed to conditions on shrinking neighbourhoods, and on “general” rather than parametric families.     

Moment estimators for the two-parameter M-Wright distribution

A formal parameter estimation procedure for the two-parameter M-Wright distribution is proposed. This procedure is necessary to make the model useful for real-world applications. Note that its generalization of the Gaussian density makes the M-Wright distribution appealing to practitioners. Closed-form estimators are also derived from the moments of the log-transformed M-Wright distributed random variable, and are shown to be asymptotically normal. Tests using simulated data indicated favorable results for our estimation procedure.     

Efficient likelihood-based inference for the generalized Pareto distribution

Annals of the Institute of Statistical Mathematics - It is well known that inference for the generalized Pareto distribution (GPD) is a difficult problem since the GPD violates the classical...     

A double generalized Pareto distribution

Papastathopoulos and Tawn [Papastathopoulos, I., Tawn, J.A., 2013. A generalized Student’s t$t$-distribution. Statistics & Probability Letters 83, 70–77] proposed a generalization of Student’s t$t$ distribution to account for negative degrees of freedom. Here, an alternative distribution that has simpler mathematical properties is discussed. Several advantages are established for using the alternative distribution over Papastathopoulos and Tawn’s generalization.     

Admissible polynomial estimators for quadratic polynomials of normal parameters

The problem of the statistical estimation of quadratic polynomials of the parameters of the normal law is considered.Translated from Zapiski Nauchnykh Seminarov Leningradskogo Otdeleniya Matematicheskogo Instituta im. V. A. Steklova Akademii Nauk SSSR, Vol. 184, pp. 234–247, 1990.