We propose risk metrics to assess the performance of High Frequency (HF) trading strategies that seek to maximize profits from making the realized spread where the holding period is extremely short (fractions of a second, seconds or at most minutes). The HF trader maximizes expected terminal...

This paper considers the realistic modelling of derivative contracts on exchange rates. We propose a stochastic volatility model that recovers not only the typically observed implied volatility smiles and skews for short dated vanilla foreign exchange options but allows one also to price payoffs...

Using a range of stochastic volatility models well-known in the nance literature, we study the existence of money market bubbles in the US economy. Money market bubbles preclude the existence of a risk-neutral pricing measure. Understanding whether markets exhibit money market bubbles is crucial...

We present an application of Financial Mathematics (using Real Option Analysis) to value the inherent optionality a coal producer has when mining and processing thermal coal. The pay-off of the physical option can be modelled as a spread option, whereby both the underlyings, and more unusually,...

The present paper provides empirical studies to estimate defaultable bonds in the South African financial market. The main goal is to estimate the unobservable factors affecting bond yields for South African major banks. The maximum likelihood approach is adopted for the estimation methodology....

This paper proposes a simple and unifying model to price the interest rate contingent claims in a complete market where trading can be made in continuous time. The underlying dynamics of the yield curve is modelled by a random string whose trajectory produces a random surface described by a...

In this paper quasi-closed-form solutions are derived for the price of equity and VIX derivatives under the assumption that the underlying follows a 3/2 process with jumps in the index. The newly-found formulae allow for an empirical analysis to be performed. In the case of the pure-diffusion...

The phenomenon of the frequency basis (i.e. a spread applied to one leg of a swap to exchange one oating interest rate for another of a different tenor in the same currency) contradicts textbook no-arbitrage conditions and has become an important feature of interest rate markets since the...

The art market has seen boom and bust during the last years and, despite the downturn, has received more attention from investors given the low interest environment following the financial crisis. However, participation has been reserved for a few investors and the hedging of exposures remains...

The art market has seen boom and bust during the last years and, despite the downturn, has received more attention from investors given the low interest environment following the financial crisis. However, participation has been reserved for a few investors and the hedging of exposures remains...