Abstract
This paper presents a framework for using high frequency derivative prices to estimate the drift of generalized security price processes. This work may be seen more generally as a quasi-likelihood approach to estimating continuous-time parameters of derivative pricing models using discrete option data. We develop a generalized derivative-based estimator for the drift where the underlying security price process follows any arbitrary state-time separable diffusion process (including arithmetic and geometric Brownian motion as special cases). The framework provides a method to measure premia in derivative prices, test for risk-neutral pricing and leads to a new empirical approach to pricing derivative contingent claims. A sufficient condition for the asymptotic consistency of the generalized estimator is also obtained. A study based on generating the S&P500 index and calls shows that the estimator can correctly estimate the drift parameter.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ait-Sahalia, Y., and A. W. Lo. (1998). “Non-parametric Estimation of State-Price Densities Inplicit in Financial Asset Prices,” Journal of Finance III, 2, 499–547.
Artzner, P., and F. Delbaen. (1987). “Term Structure of Interest Rates: The Martingale Approach,” Advances in Applied Mathematics 11, 270–302.
Banz, R., and M. Miller. (1978). “Prices for State-contingent Claims: Some Estimates and Applications,” Journal of Business 51, 653–672.
Breeden, D., and R. H. Litzenberger. (1978). “Prices of State-contingent Claims Implicit in Option Prices,” Journal of Business 51, 621–651.
Brennan, M. J., and E. S. Schwartz. (1979). “A Continous-Time Approach to the Pricing of Bonds,” Journal of Banking and Finance 3, 135–155.
Billingsley, P. (1986). Probability and Measure. New York: Wiley and Sons.
Broze, L., D. Scaillet, and J. Zakoian. (1997). “Testing for Continuous-Time Models of Short-Term Interest Rates,” Journal of Empirical Finance 2, 199–223.
Cambell, J., A. W. Lo, and A. C. MacKinlay. (1997). The Econometrics of Financial Markets. New Jersey: Princeton University Press.
Cox, J. C., J. E. Ingersoll, and S. A. Ross (1985). “A Theory of the Term Structure of Interest Rates,” Econometrica, 53, 385–407.
Dohal, G. (1987). “On Estimating the Diffusion Coefficient,” Journal of Applied Probability 24, 105–114.
Duffie, D. (1992). Dynamic Asset Pricing Theory. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Duffie, D., and P. Glynn, (1998). “Estimation of Continuous-time Markov Processes Sampled at Random Time Intervals,” Working Paper, Graduate School of Business, Stanford University.
Florens-Zmirou, D. (1993). “On Estimating the Diffusion Coefficient from Discrete Observations,” Journal of Applied Probability 30, 790–804.
Godambe, V. P. (1960). “An Optimal Property of Regular Maximum Likelihood Estimation,” Annals of Mathematical Statistics 31, 1208–1211.
Godambe, V. P., and C. C. Heyde. (1987). “Quasi-Likelihood and Optimal Estimation,” International Statistical Review 55, 231–44.
Godambe, V. P., and B. K. Kale. (1991). “Estimating Functions: An Overview.” In V. P. Godambe (ed.), Estimating Functions. Oxford: Oxford Science Publications, pp. 3–20.
Hansen, L. P. (1982). “Large Sample Properties of Generalized Method of Moments Estimators,” Econometrica 50, 1029–54.
Hansen, L. P., and J. A. Scheinkman. (1995). “Back to the Future: Moment Generating Implications for Continuous-Time Markov Processes,” Econometrica 63, 767–804.
Harrison, J. M., and D. M. Kreps. (1979). “Martingales and Arbitrage in Multiperiod Security Markets,” Journal of Economics Theory 20, 381–408.
Harrison, J. M., and S. R. Pliska. (1981). “Martingales and Stochastic Integrals in the Theory of Continuous Trading,” Stochastic Processes and their Applications 11, 215–260.
Heath, D., R. A. Jarrow, and A. Morton. (1992). “Bond Pricing and the Term-Structure of Interest Rates: A New Methodology for Contingent Claims Valaution,” Econometrica 60(1), 77–105.
Heyde, C. C. (1989). “Quasi-likelihood and Optimality of Estimating Functions: Some Current Unifying Themes,” Bulletin of International Statistical Book 1, 19–29.
Ho, T. S., and S. Lee. (1986). “Term Structure Movements and Pricing Interest Rate Contingent Claims,” Journal of Finance 41, 1011–1028.
Karatzas, I., and S. E. Shreve. (1991). Brownian Motion and Stochastic Calculus. New York: Springer-Verlag.
Lo, A.W. (1988). “Maximun Likelihood Estimation of Generalized Ito Pocesses with Discretely Sampled Data,” Econometric Theory 4, 231–247.
Pandher, G. S. (2000a). “Estimation of Excess Returns in Derivatives & Testing for Risk Neutral Pricing,” Econometric Theory (forthcoming).
Pandher, G. S. (2000b). “Volatility Estimation from High Frequency Derivative Price,” Working Paper, Kellstadt Graduate School of Business, DePaul University.
Protter, P. (1990). Stochastic Integration and Differential Equations. New York: Springer-Verlag.
Thavaneswaran, A., and M. E. Thompson. (1986). “Optimal Estimation for Semimartingales,” Journal of Applied Probability 23, 409–417.
Sherrick, B. J., S. H. Irwin, and D. L. Forster. (1990). “An Examination of Option-Implied S&P 500 Futures Price Distribitions,” Working Paper, Ohio State University.
Vasicek, O. (1977). “An Equilibrium Characterization of the Term Structure,” Journal of Financial Economics 5, 177–188.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Pandher, G.S. Drift Estimation of Generalized Security Price Processes from High Frequency Derivative Prices. Review of Derivatives Research 4, 263–284 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011383413977
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011383413977