The aim of this paper is to analyze the social construction of a new financial market. A longitudinal qualitative study is used to describe the development of the market for credit derivatives over the 1996-2005 period. Special attention is given to the fact that the market is a transnational...

The global minimum variance portfolio computed using the sample covariance matrix is known to be negatively affected by parameter uncertainty, an important component of model risk. Using a robust approach, we introduce a portfolio rule for investors who wish to invest in the global minimum...

In this thesis we explore two recent topics in behavioral finance, namely portfolio optimization by non-expected utility insiders and existence of equilibria in financial markets populated by heterogeneous agents. Firstly, we review a number of theories which have been used to model behavioral...

This work shows how long-term investors can benefit from adding volatility as an asset class to their portfolio. Two types of "structural" exposure – long implied volatility and long volatility risk premium – are now simple to implement. Implied volatility exposure can be used to...

We consider a life-cycle model with bequest motives, and assume that the individual does not know his/hersurvival probability and has maxmin utility preferences; we show that it is optimal not to annuitize but to purchase pure life insurance policies instead.

This study develops three heuristics to measure financial optimism: financial expectation, a priori optimism, and a posteriori optimism. This paper finds that financial optimism has a significant positive effect on risk taking behaviour. Optimistic investors choose risky portfolios over...

The electricity industry is undergoing a substantial process of restructuring, with an emphasis on the introduction of competition in the generation sector. Traditional planning methods are not necessarily appropriate for this new environment. This paper extends a previously developed linear...

Nous présentons et testons diverses mesures courantes de l'inclinaison des investisseurs vis-à-vis des produits risqués : les spreads high yield et émergent, les volatilités implicites sur les marchés boursiers et des changes, la corrélation taux d'intérêt/bourse, et celle entre...