Estimation for ultra-high dimensional factor model: a pivotal variable detection based approach

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For factor model, the involved covariance matrix often has no row sparse structure because the common factors may lead some variables to strongly associate with many others. Under the ultra-high dimensional paradigm, this feature causes existing methods for sparse covariance matrix in the literature not directly applicable. In this paper, for general covariance matrix, a novel approach to detect these variables that is called the pivotal variables is suggested. Then, two-stage estimation procedures are proposed to handle ultra-high dimensionality in factor model. In these procedures, pivotal variable detection is performed as a screening step and then existing approaches are applied to refine the working model. The estimation efficiency can be promoted under weaker assumptions on the model structure. Simulations are conducted to examine the performance of the new method and a real dataset is analysed for illustration.