This paper presents a simple rational expectations model of intertemporal asset pricing. It shows that state-independent heterogeneous risk aversion of investors is likely to generate declining aggregate relative risk aversion. This leads to predictability of asset returns and high and...

The Black-Scholesmodelis basedona one-parameter pricingkernel with constantelasticity. Theoretical and empirical results suggest declining elasticity and, hence, a pricing kernel withat leasttwo parameters.We price European-style optionson assets whose probability distributions have two unknown...

A recent trend in the German Asset Backed Securities (ABS) market is the securitisation of subordinated loans and profit participation agreements (PPAs) granted to medium-sized enterprises (MEs). This paper provides an overview of this growing market and analyses the benefits of such...

The strong growth in collateralized debt obligation transactions raises the question how these transactions are designed. The originator designs the transaction so as to maximize her benefit subject to requirements imposed by investors and rating agencies. An important issue in these...

We examine the effects of non-portfolio risks on optimal portfolio choice. Examples of non-portfolio risks include, among others, uncertain labor income, uncertainty about the terminal value of fixed assets such as housing and uncertainty about future tax liabilities. In particular, while some...