Estimating Stochastic Volatility Models: A Comparison of Two Importance Samplers

In this paper, we describe and compare two simulated Maximum Likelihood estimation methods for a basic stochastic volatility model. For both methods, the likelihood function is estimated using importance sampling techniques. Based on a Monte Carlo study, we assess which method is more effective. Further, we validate the two methods using diagnostic importance sampling test procedures. Stochastic volatility models with Gaussian and Student-t distributed disturbances are considered.