Leptokurtosis: Difference between revisions

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Leptokurtosis is observed in many financial distributions. It means a more ‘pointy-headed’ and ‘fat tailed’ observed distribution, compared with the distributions predicted by the normal and lognormal models.  
Leptokurtosis is observed in many financial distributions.  


Importantly there is a fatter downside tail (‘left tail’) in the observed data. In other words the observed frequency of large negative returns (or results) is greater than predicted - for example - by the lognormal model of the distribution assumed in the Black Scholes option pricing model.
It means a more ‘pointy-headed’ and ‘fat tailed’ observed distribution, compared with the distributions predicted by the normal and lognormal models.
 
Importantly there is a fatter downside tail (‘left tail’) in the observed data.  
 
In other words the observed frequency of large negative returns (or results) is greater than predicted - for example - by the lognormal model of the distribution assumed in the Black Scholes option pricing model.


Because of leptokurtosis, Value at Risk models which use a normal frequency distribution will understate the Value at Risk.
Because of leptokurtosis, Value at Risk models which use a normal frequency distribution will understate the Value at Risk.


== See also ==
== See also ==
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* [[Normal frequency distribution]]
* [[Normal frequency distribution]]
* [[Value at risk]]
* [[Value at risk]]

Revision as of 11:36, 22 August 2013

Leptokurtosis is observed in many financial distributions.

It means a more ‘pointy-headed’ and ‘fat tailed’ observed distribution, compared with the distributions predicted by the normal and lognormal models.

Importantly there is a fatter downside tail (‘left tail’) in the observed data.

In other words the observed frequency of large negative returns (or results) is greater than predicted - for example - by the lognormal model of the distribution assumed in the Black Scholes option pricing model.

Because of leptokurtosis, Value at Risk models which use a normal frequency distribution will understate the Value at Risk.


See also