An information-theoretic extension to structural VAR modelling

This paper discusses techniques for estimating structural vector autoregressions. Especially when monetary policy shocks are estimated, VAR residuals turn out to be leptokurtic. It is argued that this is no coincidence but follows directly from the properties of monetary policy decisions. The paper proceeds to suggest an independent components estimator (ICE) that works well with leptokurtic residuals. Furthermore, the ICE permits a closer link between theory and estimation because it avoids informal imposition of zero restrictions. Using the exercises by Blanchard & Quah (1989) and Christiano, Eichenbaum & Evans (1999), the new estimator is demonstrated and contrasted with current modelling techniques.