Searcharxiv⌕ Search

SEARCH · Searcharxiv

Results for “q-fin.CP”

Search indexed arXiv papers on artificial intelligence, large language models, computer vision and robotics. Read source abstracts and follow links to arXiv.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

A general method for debiasing a Monte Carlo estimator

Consider a process, stochastic or deterministic, obtained by using a numerical integration scheme, or from Monte-Carlo methods involving an approximation to an integral, or a Newton-Raphson iteration to approximate the root of an equation. We will assume that we can sample from the distribution of the process from time 0 to finite time n. We propose a scheme for unbiased estimation of the limiting value of the process, together with estimates of standard error and apply this to examples including numerical integrals, root-finding and option pricing in a Heston Stochastic Volatility model. This results in unbiased estimators in place of biased ones i nmany potential applications.

q-fin.CP↗

Robust and Adaptive Algorithms for Online Portfolio Selection

We present an online approach to portfolio selection. The motivation is within the context of algorithmic trading, which demands fast and recursive updates of portfolio allocations, as new data arrives. In particular, we look at two online algorithms: Robust-Exponentially Weighted Least Squares (R-EWRLS) and a regularized Online minimum Variance algorithm (O-VAR). Our methods use simple ideas from signal processing and statistics, which are sometimes overlooked in the empirical financial literature. The two approaches are evaluated against benchmark allocation techniques using 4 real datasets. Our methods outperform the benchmark allocation techniques in these datasets, in terms of both computational demand and financial performance.

q-fin.PM↗

Smooth Value Functions for a Class of Nonsmooth Utility Maximization Problems

In this paper we prove that there exists a smooth classical solution to the HJB equation for a large class of constrained problems with utility functions that are not necessarily differentiable or strictly concave. The value function is smooth if admissible controls satisfy an integrability condition or if it is continuous on the closure of its domain. The key idea is to work on the dual control problem and the dual HJB equation. We construct a smooth, strictly convex solution to the dual HJB equation and show that its conjugate function is a smooth, strictly concave solution to the primal HJB equation satisfying the terminal and boundary conditions.

q-fin.CP↗

Certifiably Pseudorandom Financial Derivatives

Arora, Barak, Brunnermeier, and Ge showed that taking computational complexity into account, a dishonest seller could strategically place lemons in financial derivatives to make them substantially less valuable to buyers. We show that if the seller is required to construct derivatives of a certain form, then this phenomenon disappears. In particular, we define and construct pseudorandom derivative families, for which lemon placement only slightly affects the values of the derivatives. Our constructions use expander graphs. We study our derivatives in a more general setting than Arora et al. In particular, we analyze arbitrary tranches of the common collateralized debt obligations (CDOs) when the underlying assets can have significant dependencies.

q-fin.CP↗

Numerical methods for an optimal order execution problem

This paper deals with numerical solutions to an impulse control problem arising from optimal portfolio liquidation with bid-ask spread and market price impact penalizing speedy execution trades. The corresponding dynamic programming (DP) equation is a quasi-variational inequality (QVI) with solvency constraint satisfied by the value function in the sense of constrained viscosity solutions. By taking advantage of the lag variable tracking the time interval between trades, we can provide an explicit backward numerical scheme for the time discretization of the DPQVI. The convergence of this discrete-time scheme is shown by viscosity solutions arguments. An optimal quantization method is used for computing the (conditional) expectations arising in this scheme. Numerical results are presented by examining the behaviour of optimal liquidation strategies, and comparative performance analysis with respect to some benchmark execution strategies. We also illustrate our optimal liquidation algorithm on real data, and observe various interesting patterns of order execution strategies. Finally, we provide some numerical tests of sensitivity with respect to the bid/ask spread and market impact parameters.

q-fin.CP↗

Copula Processes

We define a copula process which describes the dependencies between arbitrarily many random variables independently of their marginal distributions. As an example, we develop a stochastic volatility model, Gaussian Copula Process Volatility (GCPV), to predict the latent standard deviations of a sequence of random variables. To make predictions we use Bayesian inference, with the Laplace approximation, and with Markov chain Monte Carlo as an alternative. We find both methods comparable. We also find our model can outperform GARCH on simulated and financial data. And unlike GARCH, GCPV can easily handle missing data, incorporate covariates other than time, and model a rich class of covariance structures.

stat.ME↗

Functionals of Exponential Brownian Motion and Divided Differences

We provide a surprising new application of classical approximation theory to a fundamental asset-pricing model of mathematical finance. Specifically, we calculate an analytic value for the correlation coefficient between exponential Brownian motion and its time average, and we find the use of divided differences greatly elucidates formulae, providing a path to several new results. As applications, we find that this correlation coefficient is always at least $1/\sqrt{2}$ and, via the Hermite--Genocchi integral relation, demonstrate that all moments of the time average are certain divided differences of the exponential function. We also prove that these moments agree with the somewhat more complex formulae obtained by Oshanin and Yor.

math.NA↗

Absolute ruin in the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck type risk model

We start by showing that the finite-time absolute ruin probability in the classical risk model with constant interest force can be expressed in terms of the transition probability of a positive Ornstein-Uhlenbeck type process, say X. Our methodology applies to the case when the dynamics of the aggregate claims process is a subordinator. From this expression, we easily deduce necessary and sufficient conditions for the infinite-time absolute ruin to occur. We proceed by showing that, under some technical conditions, the transition density of X admits a spectral type representation involving merely the limiting distribution of the process. As a by-product, we obtain a series expansions for the finite-time absolute ruin probability. On the way, we also derive, for the aforementioned risk process, the Laplace transform of the first-exit time from an interval from above. Finally, we illustrate our results by detailing some examples.

q-fin.CP↗

Numerical methods for the Lévy LIBOR model

The aim of this work is to provide fast and accurate approximation schemes for the Monte-Carlo pricing of derivatives in the Lévy LIBOR model of Eberlein and Özkan (2005). Standard methods can be applied to solve the stochastic differential equations of the successive LIBOR rates but the methods are generally slow. We propose an alternative approximation scheme based on Picard iterations. Our approach is similar in accuracy to the full numerical solution, but with the feature that each rate is, unlike the standard method, evolved independently of the other rates in the term structure. This enables simultaneous calculation of derivative prices of different maturities using parallel computing. We include numerical illustrations of the accuracy and speed of our method pricing caplets.

q-fin.CP↗

Computation of vector sublattices and minimal lattice-subspaces of R^k. Applications in finance

In this article we perform a computational study of Polyrakis algorithms presented in [12,13]. These algorithms are used for the determination of the vector sublattice and the minimal lattice-subspace generated by a finite set of positive vectors of R^k. The study demonstrates that our findings can be very useful in the field of Economics, especially in completion by options of security markets and portfolio insurance.

q-fin.CP↗

Convex duality in stochastic programming and mathematical finance

This paper proposes a general duality framework for the problem of minimizing a convex integral functional over a space of stochastic processes adapted to a given filtration. The framework unifies many well-known duality frameworks from operations research and mathematical finance. The unification allows the extension of some useful techniques from these two fields to a much wider class of problems. In particular, combining certain finite-dimensional techniques from convex analysis with measure theoretic techniques from mathematical finance, we are able to close the duality gap in some situations where traditional topological arguments fail.

q-fin.CP↗

Empirical Limitations on High Frequency Trading Profitability

Addressing the ongoing examination of high-frequency trading practices in financial markets, we report the results of an extensive empirical study estimating the maximum possible profitability of the most aggressive such practices, and arrive at figures that are surprisingly modest. By "aggressive" we mean any trading strategy exclusively employing market orders and relatively short holding periods. Our findings highlight the tension between execution costs and trading horizon confronted by high-frequency traders, and provide a controlled and large-scale empirical perspective on the high-frequency debate that has heretofore been absent. Our study employs a number of novel empirical methods, including the simulation of an "omniscient" high-frequency trader who can see the future and act accordingly.

q-fin.TR↗

Picard approximation of stochastic differential equations and application to LIBOR models

The aim of this work is to provide fast and accurate approximation schemes for the Monte Carlo pricing of derivatives in LIBOR market models. Standard methods can be applied to solve the stochastic differential equations of the successive LIBOR rates but the methods are generally slow. Our contribution is twofold. Firstly, we propose an alternative approximation scheme based on Picard iterations. This approach is similar in accuracy to the Euler discretization, but with the feature that each rate is evolved independently of the other rates in the term structure. This enables simultaneous calculation of derivative prices of different maturities using parallel computing. Secondly, the product terms occurring in the drift of a LIBOR market model driven by a jump process grow exponentially as a function of the number of rates, quickly rendering the model intractable. We reduce this growth from exponential to quadratic using truncated expansions of the product terms. We include numerical illustrations of the accuracy and speed of our method pricing caplets, swaptions and forward rate agreements.

q-fin.CP↗

Bayesian Cointegrated Vector Autoregression models incorporating Alpha-stable noise for inter-day price movements via Approximate Bayesian Computation

We consider a statistical model for pairs of traded assets, based on a Cointegrated Vector Auto Regression (CVAR) Model. We extend standard CVAR models to incorporate estimation of model parameters in the presence of price series level shifts which are not accurately modeled in the standard Gaussian error correction model (ECM) framework. This involves developing a novel matrix variate Bayesian CVAR mixture model comprised of Gaussian errors intra-day and Alpha-stable errors inter-day in the ECM framework. To achieve this we derive a novel conjugate posterior model for the Scaled Mixtures of Normals (SMiN CVAR) representation of Alpha-stable inter-day innovations. These results are generalized to asymmetric models for the innovation noise at inter-day boundaries allowing for skewed Alpha-stable models. Our proposed model and sampling methodology is general, incorporating the current literature on Gaussian models as a special subclass and also allowing for price series level shifts either at random estimated time points or known a priori time points. We focus analysis on regularly observed non-Gaussian level shifts that can have significant effect on estimation performance in statistical models failing to account for such level shifts, such as at the close and open of markets. We compare the estimation accuracy of our model and estimation approach to standard frequentist and Bayesian procedures for CVAR models when non-Gaussian price series level shifts are present in the individual series, such as inter-day boundaries. We fit a bi-variate Alpha-stable model to the inter-day jumps and model the effect of such jumps on estimation of matrix-variate CVAR model parameters using the likelihood based Johansen procedure and a Bayesian estimation. We illustrate our model and the corresponding estimation procedures we develop on both synthetic and actual data.

q-fin.ST↗

The Effect of Non-Smooth Payoffs on the Penalty Approximation of American Options

This article combines various methods of analysis to draw a comprehensive picture of penalty approximations to the value, hedge ratio, and optimal exercise strategy of American options. While convergence of the penalised solution for sufficiently smooth obstacles is well established in the literature, sharp rates of convergence and particularly the effect of gradient discontinuities (i.e., the omni-present `kinks' in option payoffs) on this rate have not been fully analysed so far. This effect becomes important not least when using penalisation as a numerical technique. We use matched asymptotic expansions to characterise the boundary layers between exercise and hold regions, and to compute first order corrections for representative payoffs on a single asset following a diffusion or jump-diffusion model. Furthermore, we demonstrate how the viscosity theory framework in [Jakobsen, 2006] can be applied to this setting to derive upper and lower bounds on the value. In a small extension to [Bensoussan & Lions, 1982], we derive weak convergence rates also for option sensitivities for convex payoffs under jump-diffusion models. Finally, we outline applications of the results, including accuracy improvements by extrapolation.

q-fin.CP↗

Calculation of aggregate loss distributions

Estimation of the operational risk capital under the Loss Distribution Approach requires evaluation of aggregate (compound) loss distributions which is one of the classic problems in risk theory. Closed-form solutions are not available for the distributions typically used in operational risk. However with modern computer processing power, these distributions can be calculated virtually exactly using numerical methods. This paper reviews numerical algorithms that can be successfully used to calculate the aggregate loss distributions. In particular Monte Carlo, Panjer recursion and Fourier transformation methods are presented and compared. Also, several closed-form approximations based on moment matching and asymptotic result for heavy-tailed distributions are reviewed.

q-fin.CP↗

Non-existence of Markovian time dynamics for graphical models of correlated default

Filiz et al. (2008) proposed a model for the pattern of defaults seen among a group of firms at the end of a given time period. The ingredients in the model are a graph, where the vertices correspond to the firms and the edges describe the network of interdependencies between the firms, a parameter for each vertex that captures the individual propensity of that firm to default, and a parameter for each edge that captures the joint propensity of the two connected firms to default. The correlated default model can be re-rewritten as a standard Ising model on the graph by identifying the set of defaulting firms in the default model with the set of sites in the Ising model for which the spin is +1. We ask whether there is a suitable continuous time Markov chain taking values in the subsets of the vertex set such that the initial state of the chain is the empty set, each jump of the chain involves the inclusion of a single extra vertex, the distribution of the chain at some fixed time horizon time is the one given by the default model, and the distribution of the chain for other times is described by a probability distribution in the same family as the default model. We show for three simple but financially natural special cases that this is not possible outside of the trivial case where there is complete independence between the firms.

q-fin.CP↗

Log-supermodularity of weight functions and the loading monotonicity of weighted insurance premiums

The paper is motivated by a problem concerning the monotonicity of insurance premiums with respect to their loading parameter: the larger the parameter, the larger the insurance premium is expected to be. This property, usually called loading monotonicity, is satisfied by premiums that appear in the literature. The increased interest in constructing new insurance premiums has raised a question as to what weight functions would produce loading-monotonic premiums. In this paper we demonstrate a decisive role of log-supermodularity in answering this question. As a consequence, we establish - at a stroke - the loading monotonicity of a number of well-known insurance premiums and offer a host of further weight functions, and consequently of premiums, thus illustrating the power of the herein suggested methodology for constructing loading-monotonic insurance premiums.

q-fin.RM↗