Estimation of a Noninvertible Moving Average Process

The Case of Overdifferencing


Charles I. Plosser

University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627


G. William Schwert

University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627
and National Bureau of Economic Research


Journal of Econometrics, 6 (September 1977) 199-224


The effect of differencing all of the variables in a properly specified regression equation is examined. Excessive use of the difference transformation induces a non-invertible moving average (MA) process in the disturbances of the transformed regression. Monte Carlo technniques are used to examine the effects of overdifferencing on the efficiency of regression parameter estimates, inferences based on those estimates, and tests for overdifferencing based on the estimator of the MA parameter for the disturbances of the differences regression. Overall, the problem of overdifferencing is not serious if careful attention is paid to the properties of the disturbances of the regression equations.

Key words: Overdifferencing, ARIMA, Unit root

JEL Classifications: C22


Cited 49 times in the SSCI through April 1996

© Copyright 1977, Elsevier
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