We develop an efficient Monte Carlo method for the valuation of a financial contract with payoff dependent on discretely realized variance. We assume a general model in which asset returns are random shocks modulated by a stochastic volatility process. Realized variance is the sum of squared...

In the last twenty years a large number of competitive ethanol firms have established operations in the US. Ethanol, produced from corn, is blended with pure gasoline to produce fuel. Producers hold an option to turn off unprofitable plants. Blenders choose to substitute ethanol for gasoline at...

We study the hedging and valuation of variance swaps defined on a swap interest rate. Our motivation is the recognition of the fundamental role of variance swaps in the transfer of variance risk, and the extensive empirical evidence documenting that the variance realized by interest rates is...

Commodity price volatility has long been recognized as a main risk for commodity producers' welfare and has led to diversification efforts. Less noticed has been the importance of commodity correlations, and their increase after 2006, in the risk faced by producers. To assess their impact, we...