A multivariate Levy process model with linear correlation

In this paper, we develop a multivariate risk-neutral Levy process model and discuss its applicability in the context of the volatility smile of multiple assets. Our formulation is based upon a linear combination of independent univariate Levy processes and can easily be calibrated to a set of one-dimensional marginal distributions and a given linear correlation matrix. We derive conditions for our formulation and the associated calibration procedure to be well-defined and provide some examples associated with particular Levy processes permitting a closed-form characteristic function. Numerical results of the option premiums on three currencies are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of our formulation with different linear correlation structures.