This chapter evaluates the most important theoretical developments in ARCH type modeling of time-varying conditional variances. The coverage include the specification of univariate parametric ARCH models, general inference procedures, conditions for stationarity and ergodicity, continuous time...

We examine the risk neutral probability density (RND) for the S&P 500 extracted from real-time bid and ask quotes for index options, under extreme market stress during the fall of 2008. The RND provides exceptional detail about investors' expectations as intraday volatility increased to a level...

Exact closed-form valuation equations for traded derivative securities are rare. Numerical approximation, most commonly with Binomial and Trinomial lattice models, gives exact valuation in the limit, but convergence is non-monotonic and often slow, due to 'distribution error' and 'truncation...

There has been much discussion of risks tied to trading in derivatives, with some well-informed objective observers arguing that derivatives risks are not significantly greater or different from those associated with traditional financial instruments. Financial risks are often broken down into...