The Ho and Lee model is the analogue for the study of the term structure of interest rates of the binomial tree introduced by Cox, Ross and Rubinstein in the one risky asset case. This model allows only for a small number of deformations of the term structure between two successive dates, and is...

We propose new closed-form pricing formulas for interest rate options which guarantee perfect compatibility with volatility smiles. These cap pricing formulas are computed under variance optimal measures in the framework of the market model or the Gaussian model and achieve an exact calibration...

We study the dynamics of the spread between U.S. corporate and Treasury bonds. We focus on Aaa and Baa corporate yield indices and estimate nonparametrically the dynamics of the spreads assuming that they follow a univariate diffusion process. Using techniques developed for interest rate...

We consider option pricing when dynamic portfolios are discretely rebalanced. The portfolio adjustments only occur after fixed relative variation of the stock price. The stock price follows a marked point process and the market is incomplete. We first characterize the equivalent martingale...

In this note we propose a general testing procedure for parametric models based on Bartlett Identities. A well-know example is the Information Matrix test, which is based on the Bartlett Identity of order 1. The Identities are shown to induce a sequence of testable restrictions on the data...

Two extensions of a parametric model are proposed, each one involving the score function of an alternative parametric model. We show that the encompassing hypothesis is equivalent to standard conditions on the score of each of the extended models. The condition on the first extension gives rise...

A factor analysis of returns of shares traded on the Brussels Stock Exchange reveals that the first dominant factor is highly correlated with the popular Bel-20 index and that a distinctive alternative trend is represented by the market's second factor. We propose a new stock index consisting of...

The aim of this paper is to analyze the sensitivity of Value at Risk (VaR) with respect to portfolio allocation. We derive analytical expressions for the first and second derivatives of the Value at Risk, and explain how they can be used to simplify statistical inference and to perform a local...

This paper introduces two new nonparametric estimators for probability density functions which have support on the non-negative half-line. These kernel estimators are based on some inverse Gaussian and reciprocal inverse Gaussian probability density functions used as kernels. We show that they...