We present a class of flexible and tractable static factor models for the term structure of joint default probabilities, the factor copula models. These high-dimensional models remain parsimonious with pair-copula constructions, and nest many standard models as special cases. The loss...

Semiparametric estimation of a bivariate fractionally cointegrated system is considered. We propose a two-step procedure that accommodates both (asymptotically) stationary (d<1/2) and nonstationary (d>=1/2) stochastic trend and/or equilibrium error. A tapered version of the local Whittle estimator of Robinson (2008) is...</1/2)>

Estimation of the memory parameter (d) is considered for models of nonstationary fractionally integrated time series with d > (1/2). It is shown that the log periodogram regression estimator of d is inconsistent when 1 < d < 2 and is consistent when (1/2) < d = 1. For d > 1, the estimator is shown to converge in probability to unity.

An exact form of the local Whittle likelihood is studied with the intent of developing a general purpose estimation procedure for the memory parameter (d) that does not rely on tapering or differencing prefilters. The resulting exact local Whittle estimator is shown to be consistent and to have...

Asymptotic properties of the local Whittle estimator in the nonstationary case (d > 1/2) are explored. For 1/2 < d < 1, the estimator is shown to be consistent, and its limit distribution and the rate of convergence depend on the value of d. For d = 1, the limit distribution is mixed normal. For d > 1 and when the process has a linear trend, the estimator is shown to be inconsistent and to converge in probability to unity.