This paper compares the goodness-of-fit of eight option-based approaches used to extract risk-neutral probability density functions from a high-frequency CAC 40 index options during a normal and troubled period. Our findings show that the kernel estimator generates a strong volatility smile with...

Security prices contain valuable information that can be used to make a wide variety of economic decisions. To extract this information, a model is required that relates market prices to the desired information, and that ideally can be implemented using timely and low-cost methods. The authors...

We provide methodologies to price discretely monitored exotic options when the underlying evolves according to a double exponential jump diffusion process. We show that discrete barrier or lookback options can be approximately priced by their continuous counterparts’ pricing formulae with a...

This paper focuses on key macroeconomic driving factors influencing the loss given default (LGD) - an important credit risk parameter determining credit losses of the banking sector. Various econometric approaches are applied on both individual and aggregated data for different bank segments in...

Supported by several recent investigations, the empirical pricing kernel (EPK) puzzle might be considered a stylized fact. Based on an economic model with state dependent preferences for the financial investors, we want to emphasize a microeconomic view that succeeds in explaining the puzzle. We...

We consider a Heston type inflation model in combination with a Hull–White model for nominal and real interest rates, in which all the correlations can be non-zero. Due to the presence of the Heston dynamics our derived inflation model is able to capture the implied volatility skew/smile,...

The paper is motivated by the valuation problem of guaranteed minimum death benefits in various equity-linked products. At the time of death, a benefit payment is due. It may depend not only on the price of a stock or stock fund at that time, but also on prior prices. The problem is to calculate...

Supported by several recent investigations, the empirical pricing kernel (EPK) puzzle might be considered a stylized fact. Based on an economic model with state dependent preferences for the financial investors, we want to emphasize a microeconomic view that succeeds in explaining the puzzle. We...

This paper focuses on the key credit risk parameter Loss Given Default (LGD). We describe its general properties and determinants with respect to seniority of debt, characteristics of debtors or macroeconomic conditions. Further, we illustrate how the LGD can be extracted from market observable...

This paper focuses on a key credit risk parameter – Loss Given Default (LGD). We illustrate how the LGD can be estimated with the help of an adjusted Mertonian structural approach. We present a derivation of the formula for expected LGD and show its sensitivity analysis with respect to...