Markov-Switching and Stochastic Volatility Diffusion Models of Short-Term Interest Rates

This article empirically compares the Markov-switching and stochastic volatility diffusion models of the short rate. The evidence supports the Markov-switching diffusion model. Estimates of the elasticity of volatility parameter for single-regime models unanimously indicate an explosive volatility process, whereas the Markov-switching models estimates are reasonable. Itis found that either Markov switching or stochastic volatility, but not both, is needed to adequately fit the data. A robust conclusion is that volatility depends on the level of the short rate. Finally, the Markov-switching model is the best for forecasting. A technical contribution of this article is a presentation of quasi-maximum likelihood estimation techniques for the Markov-switching stochastic-volatility model.     

Estimation of the Stochastic Volatility Model by the Empirical Characteristic Function Method

The stochastic volatility model has no closed form for its likelihood and hence the maximum likelihood estimation method is difficult to implement. However, it can be shown that the model has a known characteristic function. As a consequence, the model is estimable via the empirical characteristic function. In this paper, the characteristic function of the model is derived and the estimation procedure is discussed. An application is considered for daily returns of Australian/New Zealand dollar exchange rate. Model checking suggests that the stochastic volatility model together with the empirical characteristic function estimates fit the data well.     

Inference for Observations of Integrated Diffusion Processes

Abstract.  Estimation of parameters in diffusion models is investigated when the observations are integrals over intervals of the process with respect to some weight function. This type of observations can, for example, be obtained when the process is observed after passage through an electronic filter. Another example is provided by the ice-core data on oxygen isotopes used to investigate paleo-temperatures. Finally, such data play a role in connection with the stochastic volatility models of finance. The integrated process is not a Markov process. Therefore, prediction-based estimating functions are applied to estimate parameters in the underlying diffusion model. The estimators are shown to be consistent and asymptotically normal. The theory developed in the paper also applies to integrals of processes other than diffusions. The method is applied to inference based on integrated data from Ornstein–Uhlenbeck processes and from the Cox–Ingersoll–Ross model, for both of which an explicit optimal estimating function is found.     

Central Limit Theorems of Local Polynomial Threshold Estimator for Diffusion Processes with Jumps

Central limit theorems play an important role in the study of statistical inference for stochastic processes. However, when the non‐parametric local polynomial threshold estimator, especially local linear case, is employed to estimate the diffusion coefficients of diffusion processes, the adaptive and predictable structure of the estimator conditionally on the σ ‐field generated by diffusion processes is destroyed, so the classical central limit theorem for martingale difference sequences cannot work. In high‐frequency data, we proved the central limit theorems of local polynomial threshold estimators for the volatility function in diffusion processes with jumps by Jacod's stable convergence theorem. We believe that our proof procedure for local polynomial threshold estimators provides a new method in this field, especially in the local linear case.     

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ABSTRACT

In the class of stochastic volatility (SV) models, leverage effects are typically specified through the direct correlation between the innovations in both returns and volatility, resulting in the dynamic leverage (DL) model. Recently, two asymmetric SV models based on threshold effects have been proposed in the literature. As such models consider only the sign of the previous return and neglect its magnitude, this paper proposes a dynamic asymmetric leverage (DAL) model that accommodates the direct correlation as well as the sign and magnitude of the threshold effects. A special case of the DAL model with zero direct correlation between the innovations is the asymmetric leverage (AL) model. The dynamic asymmetric leverage models are estimated by the Monte Carlo likelihood (MCL) method. Monte Carlo experiments are presented to examine the finite sample properties of the estimator. For a sample size of T = 2000 with 500 replications, the sample means, standard deviations, and root mean squared errors of the MCL estimators indicate only a small finite sample bias. The empirical estimates for S&;P 500 and TOPIX financial returns, and USD/AUD and YEN/USD exchange rates, indicate that the DAL class, including the DL and AL models, is generally superior to threshold SV models with respect to AIC and BIC, with AL typically providing the best fit to the data.     

Efficient volatility estimation in a two-factor model

We statistically analyze a multivariate Heath-Jarrow-Morton diffusion model with stochastic volatility. The volatility process of the first factor is left totally unspecified while the volatility of the second factor is the product of an unknown process and an exponential function of time to maturity. This exponential term includes some real parameter measuring the rate of increase of the second factor as time goes to maturity. From historical data, we efficiently estimate the time to maturity parameter in the sense of constructing an estimator that achieves an optimal information bound in a semiparametric setting. We also nonparametrically identify the paths of the volatility processes and achieve minimax bounds. We address the problem of degeneracy that occurs when the dimension of the process is greater than two, and give in particular optimal limit theorems under suitable regularity assumptions on the drift process. We consistently analyze the numerical behavior of our estimators on simulated and real datasets of prices of forward contracts on electricity markets.     

Foreign Exchange Intervention by the Bank of Japan: Bayesian Analysis Using a Bivariate Stochastic Volatility Model

A bivariate stochastic volatility model is employed to measure the effect of intervention by the Bank of Japan (BOJ) on daily returns and volume in the USD/YEN foreign exchange market. Missing observations are accounted for, and a data-based Wishart prior for the precision matrix of the errors to the transition equation that is in line with the likelihood is suggested. Empirical results suggest there is strong conditional heteroskedasticity in the mean-corrected volume measure, as well as contemporaneous correlation in the errors to both the observation and transition equations. A threshold model is used for the BOJ reaction function, which is estimated jointly with the bivariate stochastic volatility model via Markov chain Monte Carlo. This accounts for endogeneity between volatility in the market and the BOJ reaction function, something that has hindered much previous empirical analysis in the literature on central bank intervention. The empirical results suggest there was a shift in behavior by the BOJ, with a movement away from a policy of market stabilization and toward a role of support for domestic monetary policy objectives. Throughout, we observe “leaning against the wind” behavior, something that is a feature of most previous empirical analysis of central bank intervention. A comparison with a bivariate EGARCH model suggests that the bivariate stochastic volatility model produces estimates that better capture spikes in in-sample volatility. This is important in improving estimates of a central bank reaction function because it is at these periods of high daily volatility that central banks more frequently intervene.     

Foreign Exchange Intervention by the Bank of Japan: Bayesian Analysis Using a Bivariate Stochastic Volatility Model

A bivariate stochastic volatility model is employed to measure the effect of intervention by the Bank of Japan (BOJ) on daily returns and volume in the USD/YEN foreign exchange market. Missing observations are accounted for, and a data-based Wishart prior for the precision matrix of the errors to the transition equation that is in line with the likelihood is suggested. Empirical results suggest there is strong conditional heteroskedasticity in the mean-corrected volume measure, as well as contemporaneous correlation in the errors to both the observation and transition equations. A threshold model is used for the BOJ reaction function, which is estimated jointly with the bivariate stochastic volatility model via Markov chain Monte Carlo. This accounts for endogeneity between volatility in the market and the BOJ reaction function, something that has hindered much previous empirical analysis in the literature on central bank intervention. The empirical results suggest there was a shift in behavior by the BOJ, with a movement away from a policy of market stabilization and toward a role of support for domestic monetary policy objectives. Throughout, we observe “leaning against the wind” behavior, something that is a feature of most previous empirical analysis of central bank intervention. A comparison with a bivariate EGARCH model suggests that the bivariate stochastic volatility model produces estimates that better capture spikes in in-sample volatility. This is important in improving estimates of a central bank reaction function because it is at these periods of high daily volatility that central banks more frequently intervene.     

SVJD-LIBOR随机动态模型的市场校准估计与实证模拟

针对跳跃扩散LIBOR市场模型（JD-LIBOR）与随机波动率LIBOR市场模型（SVJD-LMM）各自应用局限,首先将正态跳跃扩散与Heston随机波动率同时引入标准化LIBOR市场模型中,建立一类新型双重驱动非标准化LIBOR市场模型（SVJD-LMM）。其次,运用Cap、Swaption等利率衍生产品市场数据和Black逆推校准方法,对模型的局部波动参数与瞬间相关性参数进行有效市场校准;并运用自适应马尔科夫链蒙特卡罗模拟方法（此后简称A-MCMC）对模型的随机波动率、跳跃扩散等其他主要参数进行有效理论估计与实证模拟。最后,针对六月期美元Libor远期利率实际数据,对上述三类市场模型进行了模拟比较分析。研究结论认为,若在单因子Libor利率市场模型基础上引入跳跃扩散过程,并且联立波动率的随机微分方程,则可极大地提高利率模型的解释力;加入随机波动率和跳跃扩散过程的模拟计算结果与实际利率的误差更小,从而更接近现实情况。     

Likelihood-based inference for a class of multivariate diffusions with unobserved paths

This paper presents a Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm for a class of multivariate diffusion models with unobserved paths. This class is of high practical interest as it includes most diffusion driven stochastic volatility models. The algorithm is based on a data augmentation scheme where the paths are treated as missing data. However, unless these paths are transformed so that the dominating measure is independent of any parameters, the algorithm becomes reducible. The methodology developed in Roberts and Stramer [2001a. On inference for partial observed nonlinear diffusion models using the metropolis-hastings algorithm. Biometrika 88(3); 603–621] circumvents the problem for scalar diffusions. We extend this framework to the class of models of this paper by introducing an appropriate reparametrisation of the likelihood that can be used to construct an irreducible data augmentation scheme. Practical implementation issues are considered and the methodology is applied to simulated data from the Heston model.     

Fourier-cosine method for pricing forward starting options with stochastic volatility and jumps

This article provides an efficient method for pricing forward starting options under stochastic volatility model with double exponential jumps. The forward characteristic function of the log asset price is derived and thereby forward starting options are well evaluated by Fourier-cosine technique. Based on adaptive simulated annealing algorithm, the model is calibrated to obtain the estimated parameters. Numerical results show that the pricing method is accurate and fast. Double exponential jumps have pronounced impacts on long-term forward starting options prices. Stochastic volatility model with double exponential jumps fits forward implied volatility smile pretty well in contrast to stochastic volatility model.     

Estimation of Integrated Volatility in Continuous-Time Financial Models with Applications to Goodness-of-Fit Testing

Abstract.  Properties of a specification test for the parametric form of the variance function in diffusion processes are discussed. The test is based on the estimation of certain integrals of the volatility function. If the volatility function does not depend on the variable x it is known that the corresponding statistics have an asymptotic normal distribution. However, most models of mathematical finance use a volatility function which depends on the state x . In this paper we prove that in the general case, where σ depends also on x the estimates of integrals of the volatility converge stably in law to random variables with a non-standard limit distribution. The limit distribution depends on the diffusion process X _t itself and we use this result to develop a bootstrap test for the parametric form of the volatility function, which is consistent in the general diffusion model.     

Forecasting interest rates volatilities by GARCH (1,1) and stochastic volatility models

In this paper, we compare the forecast ability of GARCH(1,1) and stochastic volatility models for interest rates. The stochastic volatility is estimated using Markov chain Monte Carlo methods. The comparison is based on daily data from 1994 to 1996 for the ten year swap rates for Deutsch Mark, Japanese Yen, and Pound Sterling. Various forecast horizons are considered. It turns out that forecasts based on stochastic volatility models are in most cases superiour to those obtained by GARCH(1,1) models.     

Bayesian analysis of stochastic volatility models with flexible tails

An alternative distributional assumption is proposed for the stochastic volatility model. This results in extremely flexible tail behaviour of the sampling distribution for the observables, as well as in the availability of a simple Markov Chain Monte Carlo strategy for posterior analysis. By allowing the tail behaviour to be determined by a separate parameter, we reserve the parameters of the volatility process to dictate the degree of volatility clustering. Treatment of a mean function is formally integrated in the analysis.

Some empirical examples on both stock prices and exchange rates clearly indicate the presence of fat tails, in combination with high levels of volatility clustering. In addition, predictive distributions indicate a good fit with these typical financial data sets.     

Bayesian analysis of stochastic volatility models with flexible tails

An alternative distributional assumption is proposed for the stochastic volatility model. This results in extremely flexible tail behaviour of the sampling distribution for the observables, as well as in the availability of a simple Markov Chain Monte Carlo strategy for posterior analysis. By allowing the tail behaviour to be determined by a separate parameter, we reserve the parameters of the volatility process to dictate the degree of volatility clustering. Treatment of a mean function is formally integrated in the analysis.

Some empirical examples on both stock prices and exchange rates clearly indicate the presence of fat tails, in combination with high levels of volatility clustering. In addition, predictive distributions indicate a good fit with these typical financial data sets.     

Extremal memory of stochastic volatility with an application to tail shape inference

We characterize joint tails and tail dependence for a class of stochastic volatility processes. We derive the exact joint tail shape of multivariate stochastic volatility with innovations that have a regularly varying distribution tail. This is used to give four new characterizations of tail dependence. In three cases tail dependence is a non-trivial function of linear volatility memory parametrically represented by tail scales, while tail power indices do not provide any relevant dependence information. Although tail dependence is associated with linear volatility memory, tail dependence itself is nonlinear. In the fourth case a linear function of tail events and exceedances is linearly independent. Tail dependence falls in a class that implies the celebrated Hill (1975) tail index estimator is asymptotically normal, while linear independence of nonlinear tail arrays ensures the asymptotic variance is the same as the iid case. We illustrate the latter finding by simulation.     

Likelihood‐based inference for correlated diffusions

The authors address the problem of likelihood‐based inference for correlated diffusions. Such a task presents two issues; the positive definite constraints of the diffusion matrix and the likelihood intractability. The first issue is handled by using the Cholesky factorization on the diffusion matrix. To deal with the likelihood unavailability, a generalization of the data augmentation framework of Roberts and Stramer [Roberts and Stramer (2001) Biometrika 88(3), 603–621] to d‐dimensional correlated diffusions, including multivariate stochastic volatility models, is given. The methodology is illustrated through simulated and real data sets. The Canadian Journal of Statistics 39: 52–72; 2011 © 2011 Statistical Society of Canada     

Stochastic volatility modelling in continuous time with general marginal distributions: Inference,prediction and model selection

We compare results for stochastic volatility models where the underlying volatility process having generalized inverse Gaussian (GIG) and tempered stable marginal laws. We use a continuous time stochastic volatility model where the volatility follows an Ornstein–Uhlenbeck stochastic differential equation driven by a Lévy process. A model for long-range dependence is also considered, its merit and practical relevance discussed. We find that the full GIG and a special case, the inverse gamma, marginal distributions accurately fit real data. Inference is carried out in a Bayesian framework, with computation using Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC). We develop an MCMC algorithm that can be used for a general marginal model.     

A Class of Non-Gaussian State Space Models With Exact Likelihood Inference

The likelihood function of a general nonlinear, non-Gaussian state space model is a high-dimensional integral with no closed-form solution. In this article, I show how to calculate the likelihood function exactly for a large class of non-Gaussian state space models that include stochastic intensity, stochastic volatility, and stochastic duration models among others. The state variables in this class follow a nonnegative stochastic process that is popular in econometrics for modeling volatility and intensities. In addition to calculating the likelihood, I also show how to perform filtering and smoothing to estimate the latent variables in the model. The procedures in this article can be used for either Bayesian or frequentist estimation of the model’s unknown parameters as well as the latent state variables. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.     

Long memory stochastic volatility : A bayesian approach

We propose a simulation-based Bayesian approach to the analysis of long memory stochastic volatility models, stationary and nonstationary. The main tool used to reduce the likelihood function to a tractable form is an approximate state-space representation of the model, A data set of stock market returns is analyzed with the proposed method. The approach taken here allows a quantitative assessment of the empirical evidence in favor of the stationarity, or nonstationarity, of the instantaneous volatility of the data.