On the Continuous Limit of Weak GARCH

Abstract

We prove that the symmetric weak GARCH limit is a geometric mean-reverting stochastic volatility process with diffusion determined by kurtosis of physical log returns; this provides an improved fit to implied volatility surfaces. When log returns are normal the limit coincides with Nelson's limit. The limit is unique, unlike strong GARCH limits, because assumptions about convergence of model parameters is unnecessary -- parameter convergence is uniquely determined by time-aggregation of the weak GARCH process.