This paper studies the relation between the uncertainty of volatility, measured as the volatility of volatility, and future delta-hedged equity option returns. We find that delta-hedged option returns consistently decrease in uncertainty of volatility. Our results hold for different measures of...

We develop a new approach to approximating asset prices in the context of continuous-time models. For any pricing model that lacks a closed-form solution, we provide a closed-form approximate solution, which relies on the expansion of the intractable model around an “auxiliary” one. We...

In a two-period setup we develop a generalization of good-deal bounds that allows to include in the problem the implications of asset pricing models. Our basis is the distance behind Hansen and Jagannathan's measure of model misspecification since a volatility constraint on the stochastic...

New methods for solving general linear parabolic partial differential equations (PDEs) in one space dimension are developed. The methods combine quadratic-spline collocation for the space discretization and classical finite differences, such as Crank-Nicolson, for the time discretization. The...

We compare local and global polynomial solution methods for DSGE models with Epstein-Zin-Weil utility. We show that model implications for macroeconomic quantities are relatively invariant to choice of solution method but that a global method can yield substantial improvements for asset prices...

With the evolution of Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) into powerful and cost-efficient computing architectures, their range of application has expanded tremendously, especially in the area of computational finance. Current research in the area, however, is limited in terms of options priced and...

The most basic and important object for any company trading energy commodities is a so-called Price Forward Curve, or PFC, providing prices in a fine granularity for a future period of time. Clearly, the PFC must be free of arbitrage with respect to the relevant set of forward prices at all...

We propose a novel algorithm which allows to sample paths from an underlying price process in a local volatility model and to achieve a substantial variance reduction when pricing exotic options. The new algorithm relies on the construction of a discrete multinomial tree. The crucial feature of...

In this paper we develop a novel valuation model and methodology to value a pharmaceutical R&D project based on real options approach. The real options approach enables the possibility of optimally abandon the project before completion whenever the investment cost turns out to be larger than the...

We construct a binomial model for a guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit (GMWB) rider to a variable annuity (VA) under optimal policyholder behaviour. The binomial model results in explicitly formulated perfect hedging strategies funded using only periodic fee income. We consider the separate...