1
$\begingroup$

The question is probbaly easy, but I don't want to fool myself.

If there are three (univariate real) time series $A$, $B$ and $C$ such that $A$ and $B$ both highly correlated with $C$ at some arbitrary lags, does it implies that $A$ and $B$ also highly (near as high) correlated at some lag?

I presume it does, because I can't imagin a counter example.

$\endgroup$

1 Answer 1

0
$\begingroup$

It seems to me I've found a proof.

By talking "correlation" I refer to Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient. It's possible to express the correlation coefficient as follows (see Geometric interpretation):

$$\rho_{A, B}=\frac{A \cdot B}{\|A\| \|B\|}$$

Which is the cosine of the angle $\theta_{A, B}$ between the (high-dimensional) vectors $A$ and $B$. Note that $\rho_{A, B}=1$ for $\theta_{A, B}=0$ which means collinearity.

Now I refer to the transitivity of collinearity: if $A\|C$ and $B\|C$ then $A\|B$. That's enough for $\rho_{A, C}=\rho_{B, C}=1$.

It's even possible to estimate $\rho_{A, B}$ from $\rho_{A, C}$ and $\rho_{B, C}$:

$$\rho_{A, B} \geq cos(\theta_{A, C}+\theta_{B, C})$$

i.e.

$$\rho_{A, B} \geq cos(arccos(\rho_{A, C})+arccos(\rho_{B, C}))$$

Where from I can say that if $A$ and $B$ both highly correlated with $C$ then $A$ and $B$ are as well near as high correlated.

$\endgroup$

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.