We present a comprehensive framework for Bayesian estimation of structural nonlinear dynamic economic models on sparse grids. The Smolyak operator underlying the sparse grids approach frees global approximation from the curse of dimensionality and we apply it to a Chebyshev approximation of the...

We develop a new method to sample from posterior distributions in hierarchical models without using Markov chain Monte Carlo. This method, which is a variant of importance sampling ideas, is generally applicable to high-dimensional models involving large data sets. Samples are independent, so...

We develop an efficient Monte Carlo method for the valuation of a financial contract with payoff dependent on discretely realized variance. We assume a general model in which asset returns are random shocks modulated by a stochastic volatility process. Realized variance is the sum of squared...

This paper presents a tailor-made discrete-time simulation model for valuing path-dependent options, such as lookback option, barrier option and Asian option. In the context of a real-life application that is interest to many students, we illustrate the option pricing by using Quasi Monte Carlo...

An enhanced option pricing framework that makes use of both continuous and discontinuous time paths based on a geometric Brownian motion and Poisson-driven jump processes respectively is performed in order to better fit with real-observed stock price paths while maintaining the analytical...

The implied volatility surface (IVS) is a fundamental building block in computational finance. We provide a survey of methodologies for constructing such surfaces. We also discuss various topics which can influence the successful construction of IVS in practice: arbitrage-free conditions in both...

We consider the problem of reducing the variance of Monte Carlo estimators of multivariate estimation problems by combining the variance reduction techniques Latin hypercube sampling with dependence (LHSD), control variates and importance sampling. Under some standard conditions, the resulting...

A credit-linked note (CLN) on a tranche of the CDX index (partially) protects the holder against default losses in that tranche. The holder receives a specified redemption amount at note maturity. The note is priced using market spread quotes for a matching CDS on this tranche

In this paper we provide several applications of Gram-Charlier expansions in financial derivative pricing. We first give an exposition on how to calculate swaption prices under a two-factor Cox-Ingersoll-Ross (CIR2) model. Then we apply this method to an extended version of the model (CIR2 ). We...

Local volatility models are widely used to manage many exotic options in a way consistent with available market prices of vanilla options. Once calibrated, a local volatility grid can be used in numerical methods such as PDE or Monte Carlo to price and hedge exotic options consistently with...