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Parameter estimation for stable distributions with application to commodity futures log returns

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  • Michael Kateregga
  • Sure Mataramvura
  • David Taylor

Abstract

This paper explores the theory behind the rich and robust family of {\alpha}-stable distributions to estimate parameters from financial asset log-returns data. We discuss four-parameter estimation methods including the quantiles, logarithmic moments method, maximum likelihood (ML), and the empirical characteristics function (ECF) method. The contribution of the paper is two-fold: first, we discuss the above parametric approaches and investigate their performance through error analysis. Moreover, we argue that the ECF performs better than the ML over a wide range of shape parameter values, {\alpha}{\alpha} including values closest to 0 and 2 and that the ECF has a better convergence rate than the ML. Secondly, we compare the t location-scale distribution to the general stable distribution and show that the former fails to capture skewness which might exist in the data. This is observed through applying the ECF to commodity futures log-returns data to obtain the skewness parameter.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Kateregga & Sure Mataramvura & David Taylor, 2017. "Parameter estimation for stable distributions with application to commodity futures log returns," Papers 1706.09756, arXiv.org.
    • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:1706.09756
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Benoit Mandelbrot, 1962. "Paretian Distributions and Income Maximization," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 76(1), pages 57-85.
    2. Jun Yu, 2004. "Empirical Characteristic Function Estimation and Its Applications," Econometric Reviews, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(2), pages 93-123.
    3. Benoit Mandelbrot, 2015. "The Variation of Certain Speculative Prices," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: Anastasios G Malliaris & William T Ziemba (ed.), THE WORLD SCIENTIFIC HANDBOOK OF FUTURES MARKETS, chapter 3, pages 39-78, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
    4. Eugene F. Fama, 1963. "Mandelbrot and the Stable Paretian Hypothesis," The Journal of Business, University of Chicago Press, vol. 36, pages 420-420.
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    Cited by:

    1. M. Kateregga & S. Mataramvura & D. Taylor & Xibin Zhang, 2017. "Bismut–Elworthy–Li formula for subordinated Brownian motion applied to hedging financial derivatives," Cogent Economics & Finance, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 5(1), pages 1384125-138, January.
    2. Taurai Muvunza, 2020. "An $\alpha$-Stable Approach to Modelling Highly Speculative Assets and Cryptocurrencies," Papers 2002.09881, arXiv.org, revised Jul 2023.
    3. Bielak, Łukasz & Grzesiek, Aleksandra & Janczura, Joanna & Wyłomańska, Agnieszka, 2021. "Market risk factors analysis for an international mining company. Multi-dimensional, heavy-tailed-based modelling," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    4. Abootaleb Shirvani & Svetlozar T. Rachev & Frank J. Fabozzi, 2019. "Multiple Subordinated Modeling of Asset Returns," Papers 1907.12600, arXiv.org.

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