On variable selection for volatility forecasting: The role of focused selection criteria

This paper is concerned with the issues of modeling and projecting the dynamics of volatility when a group of potentially useful predetermined variables is available. We predict realized volatility and value at risk (VaR) with a nested set of multiplicative error models for realized volatility. We make use of recently proposed focused model selection/ combination strategies as well as the classic AIC/BIC. Focused strategies consist of choosing the model that minimizes the estimated MSE of a given function of the parameters of interest to the forecaster. Results show that VaR forecasts can significantly be improved upon using focused prediction strategies. © The Author 2008. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.