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Hansen (1982) pioneered the introduction of the generalized method of moments (GMM), making notable contributions to empirical research in finance, particularly in asset pricing. The creation of the model was motivated by the need to estimate parameters in economic models while adhering to the theoretical constraints implicit in the model. For example, if the economic model states that two things should be independent, the GMM will try to find a solution in which the average of their product is zero. Therefore, understanding GMM can be a powerful alternative for those who need a model in which theoretical conditions are extremely important, but which conventional models cannot satisfy due to the nature of the data.

This estimation technique is widely used in econometrics and statistics to address endogeneity and other issues in regression analysis. The basic concept of the GMM estimator involves minimizing a criterion function by choosing parameters that make the sample moments of the data as close as possible to the population moments. The equation for the Basic GMM Estimator can be expressed as follows:

The GMM estimator aims to find the parameter vector that minimizes this criterion function, thereby ensuring that the sample moments of the data align as closely as possible with the population moments. By optimizing this criterion function, the GMM estimator provides consistent estimates of the parameters in econometric models.

Being consistent means that as the sample size approaches infinity, the estimator converges in probability to the true parameter value (asymptotically normal). This property is crucial for ensuring that the estimator provides reliable estimates as the amount of data increases. Even in the presence of omitted variables, as long as the moment conditions are valid and instruments are correctly specified, GMM can provide consistent estimators. However, the omission of relevant variables can impact the efficiency and interpretation of the estimated parameters.

To be efficient, GMM utilizes Generalized Least Squares (GLS) on Z-moments to improve the precision and efficiency of parameter estimates in econometric models. GLS addresses heteroscedasticity and autocorrelation by weighting observations based on their variance. In GMM, Z-moments are projected into the column space of instrumental variables, similar to a GLS approach. This minimizes variance and enhances parameter estimate precision by focusing on Z-moments and applying GLS techniques.

However, it is important to recognize that the GMM estimator is subject to a series of assumptions that must be considered during its application, which have been listed:

Therefore, GMM is a highly flexible estimation technique and can be applied in a variety of situations, being widely used as a parameter estimation technique in econometrics and statistics. It allows for efficient estimation of parameters under different model specifications and data structures. Its main uses are:

The contrast between the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) method and the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) points out different advantages. OLS proves itself efficient under the classical assumptions of linearity, serving as an unbiased linear estimator of minimum variance (BLUE). The fundamental assumptions of a linear regression model include: linearity in the relationship between variables, absence of perfect multicollinearity, zero mean error, homoscedasticity (constant variance of errors), non-autocorrelation of errors and normality of errors. Therefore, OLS is an unbiased, consistent and efficient estimator. Furthermore, it have relatively lower computational complexity.

However, GMM provides more flexibility, which is applicable to a wide range of contexts such as models with measurement errors, endogenous variables, heteroscedasticity, and autocorrelation. It makes no assumptions about the distribution of errors and is applicable to nonlinear models. GMM stands out in cases where we have omitted important variables, multiple moment conditions, nonlinear models, and datasets with heteroscedasticity and autocorrelation.

Conversely, when comparing GMM and Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE), it highlights their approaches to handling data assumptions. GMM constructs estimators using data and population moment conditions, providing flexibility and adaptability to models with fewer assumptions, particularly advantageous when strong assumptions about data distribution may not hold.

MLE estimates parameters by maximizing the likelihood of the given data, depending on specific assumptions about data distribution. While MLE performs optimally when the assumed distribution closely aligns with the true data-generating process, GMM accommodates various distributions, proving valuable in scenarios where data may not conform to a single specific distribution.

In the hypothetical example demonstrated in Python, we utilize the linearmodels.iv library to estimate a GMM model with the IVGMM function. In this model, consumption serves as the dependent variable, while age and gender (represented as a dummy variable for male) are considered exogenous variables. Additionally, we assume that income is an endogenous variable, while the number of children and education level are instrumental variables.

Instrumental variables in GMM models are used to address endogeneity issues by providing a source of exogenous variation that is correlated with the endogenous regressors but uncorrelated with the error term. The IVGMM function is specifically designed for estimating models in which instrumental variables are used within the framework of GMM.

Therefore, by specifying Consumption as the dependent variable and employing exogenous variables (age and gender) along with instrumental variables (number of children and education) to address endogeneity, this example fits within the GMM context.

Excerpt from:

Why and When to Use the Generalized Method of Moments - Towards Data Science