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University of Cambridge

Sequential Modelling and Inference of High-frequency Limit Order Book with State-space Models and Monte Carlo Algorithms

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

The high-frequency limit order book (LOB) market has recently attracted increasing research attention from both the industry and the academia as a result of expanding algorithmic trading. However, the massive data throughput and the inherent complexity of high-frequency market dynamics also present challenges to some classic statistical modelling approaches. By adopting powerful state-space models from the field of signal processing as well as a number of Bayesian inference algorithms such as particle filtering, Markov chain Monte Carlo and variational inference algorithms, this thesis presents my extensive research into the high-frequency limit order book covering a wide scope of topics. Chapter 2 presents a novel construction of the non-homogeneous Poisson process to allow online intensity inference of limit order transactions arriving at a central exchange as point data. Chapter 3 extends a baseline jump diffusion model for market fair-price process to include three additional model features taken from real-world market intuitions. In Chapter 4, another price model is developed to account for both long-term and short-term diffusion behaviours of the price process. This is achieved by incorporating multiple jump-diffusion processes each exhibiting a unique characteristic. Chapter 5 observes the multi-regime nature of price diffusion processes as well as the non-Markovian switching behaviour between regimes. As such, a novel model is proposed which combines the continuous-time state-space model, the hidden semi-Markov switching model and the non-parametric Dirichlet process model. Additionally, building upon the general structure of the particle Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm, I further propose an algorithm which achieves sequential state inference, regime identification and regime parameters learning requiring minimal prior assumptions. Chapter 6 focuses on the development of efficient parameter-learning algorithms for state-space models and presents three algorithms each demonstrating promising results in comparison to some well-established methods. The models and algorithms proposed in this thesis not only are practical tools for analysing high-frequency LOB markets, but can also be applied in various areas and disciplines beyond finance.

Degree

thesis:*
Name dc:type.qualificationname
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Level dc:type.qualificationlevel
Doctoral
Grantor dc:publisher.institution
University of Cambridge
Year dc:date.issued
2020

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Li, Chenhao
Advisor dc:contributor.advisor
  • Godsill, Simon

Subjects

dc:subject × 6

Rights

dc:rights
Language dc:language
eng

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Author Identifier
0000-0001-6731-3675
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:www.repository.cam.ac.uk:1810/322522

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Cambridge University
Base URL
api.repository.cam.ac.uk/server/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Li, Chenhao. Sequential Modelling and Inference of High-frequency Limit Order Book with State-space Models and Monte Carlo Algorithms. Doctoral thesis, University of Cambridge, 2020. https://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.69979