We present an acceleration technique, effective for explicit finite difference schemes describing diffusive processes with nearly symmetric operators, called Super-Time-Stepping (STS). The technique is applied to the two-factor problem of option pricing under stochastic volatility. It is shown...

A scaled self-decomposable stochastic process put forward by Carr, Geman, Madan and Yor (2007) is used to model long term equity returns and options prices. This parsimonious model is compared to a number of other one-dimensional continuous time stochastic processes (models) that are commonly...

Nelson-Siegel factors extracted from the term structure of WTI oil futures predict subsequent WTI holding period returns both in-sample and out-of-sample. This predictability is not diminished by augmenting with macroeconomic indicators or oil market specific predictors. The term structure based...

We propose a novel method to estimate risk-neutral quantiles that uses sorting to minimize an objective function given by a convex combination of call and put option prices over the range of available strike prices. We demonstrate that this new method significantly improves the accuracy of...

A growing group of institutional investors use divestment strategically to deter misconducts that are harmful for the climate and society. Based on Kantian ethics, we propose that divestment represents investors' universal and absolute moral commitment to socially responsible investing (SRI)....

Implicit finite difference methods are conventionally preferred over their explicit counterparts for the valuation of options. In large part the reason for this is a severe stability constraint known as the Courant-Friedrichs-Lewy (CFL) condition which limits the latters' efficiencies. Implicit...

We present an acceleration technique, effective for explicit finite difference schemes describing diffusive processes with nearly symmetric operators, called Super-Time-Stepping (STS). The technique is applied to the two-factor problem of option pricing under stochastic volatility. It is shown...

Abusive lending practices have made headlines around the nation, and the issue remains hotly debated. Stephen O'Sullivan gives an overview and an update on the issue. He focuses on how various regulators and legislators are trying to curb abuses without limiting access to the subprime market.

A model is developed that can price path dependent options when the underlying process is an exponential Levy process with closed form conditional characteristic function. The model is an extension of a recent quadrature option pricing model so that it can be applied with the use of Fourier and...