On the Approximate Maximum Likelihood Estimation for Diffusion Processes

Chang, Jinyuan and Chen, Songxi (2011): On the Approximate Maximum Likelihood Estimation for Diffusion Processes. Published in:

Abstract

The transition density of a diffusion process does not admit an explicit expression in general, which prevents the full maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) based on discretely observed sample paths. Aït-Sahalia [J. Finance 54 (1999) 1361–1395; Econometrica 70 (2002) 223–262] proposed asymptotic expansions to the transition densities of diffusion processes, which lead to an approximate maximum likelihood estimation (AMLE) for parameters. Built on Aït-Sahalia’s [Econometrica 70 (2002) 223–262; Ann. Statist. 36 (2008) 906–937] proposal and analysis on the AMLE, we establish the consistency and convergence rate of the AMLE, which reveal the roles played by the number of terms used in the asymptotic density expansions and the sampling interval between successive observations. We find conditions under which the AMLE has the same asymptotic distribution as that of the full MLE. A first order approximation to the Fisher information matrix is proposed.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Asymptotic expansion; Asymptotic normality; Consistency; Discrete time observation; Maximum likelihood estimation.
• Subjects: C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C0 - General; C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C1 - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General; C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C2 - Single Equation Models ; Single Variables; C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C3 - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models ; Multiple Variables; C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C4 - Econometric and Statistical Methods: Special Topics; C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C5 - Econometric Modeling; C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C6 - Mathematical Methods ; Programming Models ; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling; C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C7 - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory; C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C8 - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology ; Computer Programs; C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C9 - Design of Experiments; G - Financial Economics > G0 - General

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