A Markov chain with an expanding non-uniform grid matching risk neutral marginal distributions is constructed. Conditional distributions of the chain are in the variance gamma class with prespecified skewness and excess kurtosis. Time change and space scale volatilities are calibrated from...

Loan spreads are analysed for two types of loans. The first takes losses at maturity only; the second one follows the formulation of CFOs (Collateralized Fund Obligations), with losses registered over the lifetime of the contract. In both cases, the implementation requires the choice of a...

This study formalizes the departure between risk-neutral and physical index return volatilities, termed volatility spreads. Theoretically, the departure between risk neutral and physical index volatility is connected to the higher-order physical return moments and the parameters of the pricing...

Complex insurance risks typically have multiple exposures. Options on multiple underliers with a short maturity are employed to hedge this exposure. Hedges are illustrated for GMWBVA accounts invested in the nine sector ETF's of the US economy. The underliers are simulated risk neutrally by...

Learning the pre limited liability value process of equity claims and its relationship to the stock price is an answer to the financial jeorpardy question when observed option prices are the answer being given by the market. Constant dollar equity holder values, prior to the imposition of...

Allowing for correlated squared returns across two consecutive periods, portfolio theory for two periods is developed. This correlation makes it necessary to work with non-Gaussian models. The two period conic portfolio problem is formulated and implemented. This development leads to a mean ask...

Prudent upper and lower valuations from the literature on arbitrage free two price economies provide risk characteristics driving required returns. The risk characteristics assess the risk of price fluctuations. The difference between the upper and lower prudent valuations can be viewed as a...

Exponentials of squared returns in Gaussian densities, with their consequently thin tails, are replaced by the absolute return to form Laplacian and exponentially tilted Laplacian densities at unit time. Scaling provides densities at other maturities. Stochastic processes with these marginals...

For mean reverting base probabilities option pricing models are developed using an explicit measure change induced by the selection of a terminal time and a terminal random variable. The models employed are the square root process and an OU equation driven by centered variance gamma shocks. VIX...

When the pricing kernel is U-shaped, then expected returns of claims with payout on the upside are negative for strikes beyond a threshold, determined by the slope of the U-shaped kernel in its increasing region, and have negative partial derivative with respect to strike in the increasing...