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Dynamics of the square of a lognormal stock

Question

Suppose StS_t is a geometric Brownian motion, dS=μS dt+σS dWdS=\mu S\,dt+\sigma S\,dW. What stochastic process does St2S_t^2 follow?

Short answer

Another GBM: d(S2)=S2((2μ+σ2)dt+2σ dW)d(S^2)=S^2\big((2\mu+\sigma^2)dt+2\sigma\,dW\big). Ito gives d(S2)=2S dS+(dS)2d(S^2)=2S\,dS+(dS)^2, with (dS)2=σ2S2dt(dS)^2=\sigma^2S^2dt. So the volatility doubles and the drift becomes 2μ+σ22\mu+\sigma^2, the extra σ2\sigma^2 being the convexity term; directly, St2=S02e(2μ−σ2)t+2σWtS_t^2=S_0^2e^{(2\mu-\sigma^2)t+2\sigma W_t}.

Adapted from Joshi, Denson & Downes, Quant Job Interview Questions and Answers, Q3.41, p.84; question and answer rewritten by SelfMadeQuant.com.

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