We propose a new and flexible non-parametric framework for estimating the jump tails of Itô semimartingale processes. The approach is based on a relatively simple-to-implement set of estimating equations associated with the compensator for the jump measure, or its "intensity", that only...

We show that the compensation for rare events accounts for a large fraction of the average equity and variance risk premia. Exploiting the special structure of the jump tails and the pricing thereof we identify and estimate a new Investor Fears index. The index suggests both large and...

We develop a new efficient and analytically tractable method for estimation of parametric volatility models that is robust to price-level jumps and generally has good finite sample properties. The method entails first integrating intra-day data into the Realized Laplace Transform of volatility,...

This paper derives the asymptotic behavior of realized power variation of pure-jump Ito semimartingales as the sampling frequency within a fixed interval increases to infinity. We prove convergence in probability and an associated central limit theorem for the realized power variation as a...

We develop a nonparametric estimator of the stochastic volatility density of a discretely-observed Ito semimartingale in the setting of an increasing time span and finer mesh of the observation grid. There are two steps. The first is aggregating the high-frequency increments into the realized...

The paper examines volatility activity and its asymmetry and undertakes further specification analysis of volatility models based on it. We develop new nonparametric statistics using high frequency option-based VIX data to test for asymmetry in volatility jumps. We also develop methods to...

We develop a new parametric estimation procedure for option panels observed with error which relies on asymptotic approximations assuming an ever increasing set of observed option prices in the moneyness- maturity (cross-sectional) dimension, but with a fixed time span. We develop consistent...

We show that the compensation for rare events accounts for a large fraction of the equity and variance risk premia in the S&P 500 market index. The probability of rare events vary significantly over time, increasing in periods of high market volatility, but the risk premium for tail events...

The paper undertakes a non-parametric analysis of the very high frequency movements in stock market volatility using very finely sampled data on the Samp;P VIX index compiled by the CBOE. The data suggest that stock market volatility is best described as a pure jump process without a continuous...