arXiv subjects

Marcin Pitera

Publications and source records attributed to Marcin Pitera.

32 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2020

Long-run risk sensitive impulse control

In this paper we consider long-run risk sensitive average cost impulse control applied to a continuous-time Feller-Markov process. Using the probabilistic approach, we show how to get a solution to a suitable continuous-time Bellman equation and link it with the impulse control problem. The optimal strategy for the underlying problem is constructed as a limit of dyadic impulse strategies by exploiting regularity properties of the linked risk sensitive optimal stopping value functions. In particular, this shows that the discretized setting could be used to approximate near optimal strategies for the underlying continuous time control problem, which facilitates the usage of the standard approximation tools. For completeness, we present examples of processes that could be embedded into our framework.

math.OC↗

arXiv2020

New fat-tail normality test based on conditional second moments with applications to finance

In this paper we introduce an efficient fat-tail measurement framework that is based on the conditional second moments. We construct a goodness-of-fit statistic that has a direct interpretation and can be used to assess the impact of fat-tails on central data conditional dispersion. Next, we show how to use this framework to construct a powerful normality test. In particular, we compare our methodology to various popular normality tests, including the Jarque--Bera test that is based on third and fourth moments, and show that in many cases our framework outperforms all others, both on simulated and market stock data. Finally, we derive asymptotic distributions for conditional mean and variance estimators, and use this to show asymptotic normality of the proposed test statistic.

q-fin.ST↗

arXiv2019

Risk sensitive optimal stopping

In this paper we consider discrete and continuous time risk sensitive optimal stopping problem. Using suitable properties of the underlying Feller-Markov process we prove continuity of the optimal stopping value function and provide formula for the optimal stopping policy. Next, we show how to link continuous time framework with its discrete time analogue. By considering suitable approximations, we obtain uniform convergence of the corresponding value functions.

math.OC↗

arXiv2019

Fair Estimation of Capital Risk Allocation

In this paper we develop a novel methodology for estimation of risk capital allocation. The methodology is rooted in the theory of risk measures. We work within a general, but tractable class of law-invariant coherent risk measures, with a particular focus on expected shortfall. We introduce the concept of fair capital allocations and provide explicit formulae for fair capital allocations in case when the constituents of the risky portfolio are jointly normally distributed. The main focus of the paper is on the problem of approximating fair portfolio allocations in the case of not fully known law of the portfolio constituents. We define and study the concepts of fair allocation estimators and asymptotically fair allocation estimators. A substantial part of our study is devoted to the problem of estimating fair risk allocations for expected shortfall. We study this problem under normality as well as in a nonparametric setup. We derive several estimators, and prove their fairness and/or asymptotic fairness. Last, but not least, we propose two backtesting methodologies that are oriented at assessing the performance of the allocation estimation procedure. The paper closes with a substantial numerical study of the subject.

q-fin.RM↗

arXiv2019

Long-run risk sensitive dyadic impulse control

In this paper long-run risk sensitive optimisation problem is studied with dyadic impulse control applied to continuous-time Feller-Markov process. In contrast to the existing literature, focus is put on unbounded and non-uniformly ergodic case by adapting the weight norm approach. In particular, it is shown how to combine geometric drift with local minorisation property in order to extend local span-contraction approach when the process as well as the linked reward/cost functions are unbounded. For any predefined risk-aversion parameter, the existence of solution to suitable Bellman equation is shown and linked to the underlying stochastic control problem. For completeness, examples of uncontrolled processes that satisfy the geometric drift assumption are provided.

math.OC↗

arXiv2018

Backtesting Expected Shortfall: a simple recipe?

We propose a new backtesting framework for Expected Shortfall that could be used by the regulator. Instead of looking at the estimated capital reserve and the realised cash-flow separately, one could bind them into the secured position, for which risk measurement is much easier. Using this simple concept combined with monotonicity of Expected Shortfall with respect to its target confidence level we introduce a natural and efficient backtesting framework. Our test statistics is given by the biggest number of worst realisations for the secured position that add up to a negative total. Surprisingly, this simple quantity could be used to construct an efficient backtesting framework for unconditional coverage of Expected Shortfall in a natural extension of the regulatory traffic-light approach for Value-at-Risk. While being easy to calculate, the test statistic is based on the underlying duality between coherent risk measures and scale-invariant performance measures.

q-fin.RM↗

arXiv2017

A unified approach to time consistency of dynamic risk measures and dynamic performance measures in discrete time

In this paper we provide a flexible framework allowing for a unified study of time consistency of risk measures and performance measures (also known as acceptability indices). The proposed framework not only integrates existing forms of time consistency, but also provides a comprehensive toolbox for analysis and synthesis of the concept of time consistency in decision making. In particular, it allows for in depth comparative analysis of (most of) the existing types of time consistency -- a feat that has not be possible before and which is done in the companion paper [BCP2016] to this one. In our approach the time consistency is studied for a large class of maps that are postulated to satisfy only two properties -- monotonicity and locality. The time consistency is defined in terms of an update rule. The form of the update rule introduced here is novel, and is perfectly suited for developing the unifying framework that is worked out in this paper. As an illustration of the applicability of our approach, we show how to recover almost all concepts of weak time consistency by means of constructing appropriate update rules.

math.PR↗

arXiv2017

Unbiased estimation of risk

The estimation of risk measures recently gained a lot of attention, partly because of the backtesting issues of expected shortfall related to elicitability. In this work we shed a new and fundamental light on optimal estimation procedures of risk measures in terms of bias. We show that once the parameters of a model need to be estimated, one has to take additional care when estimating risks. The typical plug-in approach, for example, introduces a bias which leads to a systematic underestimation of risk. In this regard, we introduce a novel notion of unbiasedness to the estimation of risk which is motivated by economic principles. In general, the proposed concept does not coincide with the well-known statistical notion of unbiasedness. We show that an appropriate bias correction is available for many well-known estimators. In particular, we consider value-at-risk and expected shortfall (tail value-at-risk). In the special case of normal distributions, closed-formed solutions for unbiased estimators can be obtained. We present a number of motivating examples which show the outperformance of unbiased estimators in many circumstances. The unbiasedness has a direct impact on backtesting and therefore adds a further viewpoint to established statistical properties.

q-fin.RM↗

arXiv2017

A note on conditional covariance matrices for elliptical distributions

In this short note we provide an analytical formula for the conditional covariance matrices of the elliptically distributed random vectors, when the conditioning is based on the values of any linear combination of the marginal random variables. We show that one could introduce the univariate invariant depending solely on the conditioning set, which greatly simplifies the calculations. As an application, we show that one could define uniquely defined quantile-based sets on which conditional covariance matrices must be equal to each other if only the vector is multivariate normal. The similar results are obtained for conditional correlation matrices of the general elliptic case.

math.PR↗

arXiv2017

A survey of time consistency of dynamic risk measures and dynamic performance measures in discrete time: LM-measure perspective

In this work we give a comprehensive overview of the time consistency property of dynamic risk and performance measures, focusing on a the discrete time setup. The two key operational concepts used throughout are the notion of the LM-measure and the notion of the update rule that, we believe, are the key tools for studying time consistency in a unified framework.

q-fin.MF↗

arXiv2015

The least squares method for option pricing revisited

It is shown that the the popular least squares method of option pricing converges even under very general assumptions. This substantially increases the freedom of creating different implementations of the method, with varying levels of computational complexity and flexible approach to regression. It is also argued that in many practical applications even modest non-linear extensions of standard regression may produce satisfactory results. This claim is illustrated with examples.

q-fin.CP↗

arXiv2015

Long run risk sensitive portfolio with general factors

In the paper portfolio optimization over long run risk sensitive criterion is considered. It is assumed that economic factors which stimulate asset prices are ergodic but non necessarily uniformly ergodic. Solution to suitable Bellman equation using local span contraction with weighted norms is shown. The form of optimal strategy is presented and examples of market models satisfying imposed assumptions are shown.

math.OC↗

arXiv2015

The 20-60-20 Rule

In this paper we discuss an empirical phenomena known as the 20-60-20 rule. It says that if we split the population into three groups, according to some arbitrary benchmark criterion, then this particular ratio implies some sort of balance. From practical point of view, this feature often leads to efficient management or control. We provide a mathematical illustration, justifying the occurrence of this rule in many real world situations. We show that for any population, which could be described using multivariate normal vector, this fixed ratio leads to a global equilibrium state, when dispersion and linear dependance measurement is considered.

math.PR↗

arXiv2014

Dynamic Limit Growth Indices in Discrete Time

We propose a new class of mappings, called Dynamic Limit Growth Indices, that are designed to measure the long-run performance of a financial portfolio in discrete time setup. We study various important properties for this new class of measures, and in particular, we provide necessary and sufficient condition for a Dynamic Limit Growth Index to be a dynamic assessment index. We also establish their connection with classical dynamic acceptability indices, and we show how to construct examples of Dynamic Limit Growth Indices using dynamic risk measures and dynamic certainty equivalents. Finally, we propose a new definition of time consistency, suitable for these indices, and we study time consistency for the most notable representative of this class -- the dynamic analog of risk sensitive criterion.

q-fin.RM↗