• Media type: Report; E-Book
  • Title: The power of (non-)linear shrinking: A review and guide to covariance matrix estimation
  • Contributor: Ledoit, Olivier [Author]; Wolf, Michael [Author]
  • Published: Zurich: University of Zurich, Department of Economics, 2019
  • Language: English
  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.5167/uzh-170642
  • Keywords: C58 ; Markowitz portfolio selection ; rotation equivariance ; large-dimensional asymptotics ; G11 ; C13 ; dynamic conditional correlations ; factor models
  • Origination:
  • Footnote: Diese Datenquelle enthält auch Bestandsnachweise, die nicht zu einem Volltext führen.
  • Description: Many econometric and data-science applications require a reliable estimate of the covariance matrix, such as Markowitz portfolio selection. When the number of variables is of the same magnitude as the number of observations, this constitutes a difficult estimation problem; the sample covariance matrix certainly will not do. In this paper, we review our work in this area going back 15+ years. We have promoted various shrinkage estimators, which can be classified into linear and nonlinear. Linear shrinkage is simpler to understand, to derive, and to implement. But nonlinear shrinkage can deliver another level of performance improvement, especially if overlaid with stylized facts such as time-varying co-volatility or factor models.
  • Access State: Open Access