We propose a semiparametric single-factor diffusion model for the term structure of interest rate. The model is highly flexible and encompasses most parametric single-factor models proposed in the literature. We fit the semiparametric model to a proxy of the Eurodollar short term interst rate...

This paper examines the in- and out-of-sample performance of various value-at-risk (VaR) approaches for commodity futures investments: conventional VaR, the Cornish-Fisher (CF) VaR, GARCH-type VaR models, and semi-parametric conditional autoregressive value-at-risk (CAViaR) models, which do not...

Diffusion functions in term-structure models are measures of uncertainty about future price movements and are directly related to the risk associated with holding financial securities. Correct specification of diffusion functions is crucial in pricing options and other derivative securities. In...

We compare density forecasts of the Samp;P 500 index from 1991 to 2004, obtained from option prices and daily and five-minute index returns. Risk-neutral densities are given by using option prices to estimate diffusion and jump-diffusion processes, that incorporate stochastic volatility, and...

This paper proposes an asymmetric kernel-based method for nonparametric estimation of scalar diffusion models of spot interest rates. We derive the asymptotic theory for the asymmetric kernel estimators of the drift and diffusion functions for general and positive recurrent processes and...

We conduct out-of-sample density forecast evaluations of the affine jump diffusion models for the S&P 500 stock index and its options’ contracts. We also examine the time-series consistency between the model-implied spot volatilities using options & returns and only returns. In particular, we...

The aim of this paper is to determine whether forward-looking option- implied returns forecasts lead to better out-of-sample portfolio performance than conventional time series models. We consider a simple two-asset setting with a risk-free asset and the S&P 500 index the risky asset with...

Diffusion functions in term-structure models are measures of uncertainty about future price movements and are directly related to the risk associated with holding financial securities. Correct specification of diffusion functions is crucial in pricing options and other derivative securities. In...

Despite the high volatilities recorded for electricity prices, there seems to be little demand for options on electricity. One reason for the disinterest in electricity options could arise from uncertainty about how to price these options. This study uses recent econometric advances to...

A nonparametric method of pricing American options was recently developed that requires only historical underlying price data (Alcock and Carmichael, 2008). We derive an extension to this method to include conditioning information from a small number of observed option prices. This additional...