In this paper, we propose an alternative approach for pricing and hedging Americanbarrier options. Specifically, we obtain an analytic representation for the value and hedge parameters of barrier options, using the decomposition technique of separating the European option value from the early...

We present a cash-flow based model of corporate debt valuation that incorporates two novel features. First, we allow for the separation and optimal determination of the firm's debt-service and dividend policies; in particular, the firm is allowed to maintain cash reserves to meet future debt...

In this paper, we propose an alternative approach for pricing and hedging non-standard American options. In principle, the proposed approach applies to any kind of American-style contract for which the payoff function has a Markovian representation in the state space. Specifically, we obtain an...

Recent work has suggested that strategic underperformance of debt-service obligations by equity holders can resolve the gap between observed yield spreads and those generated by Merton (1974)-style models. We show that this is not quite correct. The value of the option to underperform on...

We present a cash flows based model of corporate debt valuation that incorporates two novel features. First, we allow for the separation and optimal determination of the firm's debt-service and dividend policies; in particular, the rm is allowed to maintain cash reserves to meet future debt...

Recent work has suggested that strategic under performance of debt service obligations by equity holders can resolve the gap between observed yield spreads and those generated Merton (41) style models. We show that it is not quite correct. The value of the option to under perform on debt-service...

In this paper, we present a new method for pricing and hedging American options along with an efficient implementation procedure. The proposed method is efficient and accurate in computing both option values and various option hedge parameters. We demonstrate the computation accuracy and...

We examine the question of the determinants of corporate bond credit spreads using both weekly and monthly option-adjusted spreads for nine corporate bond indexes from Merrill Lynch from January 1997 to July 2002. We find that the Russell 2000 index historical return volatility and the...

We examine the question of the determinants of corporate bond credit spreads using both weekly and monthly option-adjusted spreads for nine corporate bond indexes from Merrill Lynch from January 1997 to July 2002. We find that the Russell 2000 index historical return volatility and the...

This paper revisits the question of the determinants of corporate bond credit spreads using some new explanatory variables with both weekly and monthly option-adjusted credit spreads of corporate bond indices from Merrill Lynch. We find that among the new variables, the interest rate historical...