Dynamic modeling of mean-reverting spreads for statistical arbitrage

Statistical arbitrage strategies, such as pairs trading and its generalizations, rely on the construction of mean-reverting spreads enjoying a certain degree of predictability. Gaussian linear state-space processes have recently been proposed as a model for such spreads under the assumption that the observed process is a noisy realization of some hidden states. Real-time estimation of the unobserved spread process can reveal temporary market inefficiencies which can then be exploited to generate excess returns. Building on previous work, we embrace the state-space framework for modeling spread processes and extend this methodology along three different directions. First, we introduce time-dependency in the model parameters, which allows for quick adaptation to changes in the data generating process. Second, we provide an on-line estimation algorithm that can be constantly run in real-time. Being computationally fast, the algorithm is particularly suitable for building aggressive trading strategies based on high-frequency data and may be used as a monitoring device for mean-reversion. Finally, our framework naturally provides informative uncertainty measures of all the estimated parameters. Experimental results based on Monte Carlo simulations and historical equity data are discussed, including a co-integration relationship involving two exchange-traded funds.Comment: 34 pages, 6 figures. Submitte

Review of stochastic differential equations in statistical arbitrage pairs trading

The use of stochastic differential equations offers great advantages for statistical arbitrage pairs trading. In particular, it allows the selection of pairs with desirable properties, e.g., strong mean-reversion, and it renders traditional rules of thumb for trading unnecessary. This study provides an exhaustive survey dedicated to this field by systematically classifying the large body of literature and revealing potential gaps in research. From a total of more than 80 relevant references, five main strands of stochastic spread models are identified, covering the ‘Ornstein–Uhlenbeck model’, ‘extended Ornstein–Uhlenbeck models’, ‘advanced mean-reverting diffusion models’, ‘diffusion models with a non-stationary component’, and ‘other models’. Along these five main categories of stochastic models, we shed light on the underlying mathematics, hereby revealing advantages and limitations for pairs trading. Based on this, the works of each category are further surveyed along the employed statistical arbitrage frameworks, i.e., analytic and dynamic programming approaches. Finally, the main findings are summarized and promising directions for future research are indicated

A profit model for spread trading with an application to energy futures

This paper proposes a profit model for spread trading by focusing on the stochastic movement of the price spread and its first hitting time probability density. The model is general in that it can be used for any financial instrument. The advantage of the model is that the profit from the trades can be easily calculated if the first hitting time probability density of the stochastic process is given. We then modify the profit model for a particular market, the energy futures market. It is shown that energy futures spreads are modeled by using a meanreverting process. Since the first hitting time probability density of a mean-reverting process is approximately known, the profit model for energy futures price spreads is given in a computable way by using the parameters of the process. Finally, we provide empirical evidence for spread trades of energy futures by employing historical prices of energy futures (WTI crude oil, heating oil, and natural gas futures) traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The results suggest that natural gas futures trading may be more profitable than WTI crude oil and heating oil due to its high volatility in addition to its long-term mean reversion, which offers supportive evidence of the model prediction. --futures spread trading,energy futures markets,mean-reverting process,first hitting,time probability density,profit model,WTI crude oil,heating oil,natural gas

Reduced form modeling of limit order markets

This paper proposes a parametric approach for stochastic modeling of limit order markets. The models are obtained by augmenting classical perfectly liquid market models by few additional risk factors that describe liquidity properties of the order book. The resulting models are easy to calibrate and to analyze using standard techniques for multivariate stochastic processes. Despite their simplicity, the models are able to capture several properties that have been found in microstructural analysis of limit order markets. Calibration of a continuous-time three-factor model to Copenhagen Stock Exchange data exhibits e.g.\ mean reversion in liquidity as well as the so called crowding out effect which influences subsequent mid-price moves. Our dynamic models are well suited also for analyzing market resiliency after liquidity shocks

Convenience Yield and Commodity Markets.

This article explains the role of the convenience yield in the relationships linking spot and futures prices in commodity derivatives markets. First, this variable restores the non arbitrage relationship between the prices of the underlying asset and the derivative instrument. Second, it allows establishing connections between commodities and other assets. Third, it explains why firms store at an apparent loss. The convenience is however a controversial concept. Indeed, the absence of direct evidence for this quantity signifies, first that it is necessary to address the issue of estimating it and second, that it can be accused of being an ad hoc construction. Moreover, in spite of an early interest for this concept, there is no real consensus on its definition. This article aims at gathering all the reasonable explanations which were proposed trough time in the literature.Convenience yield; Non storable commodities; Arbitrage; Inventory; Commodity;

The History of the Quantitative Methods in Finance Conference Series. 1992-2007

This report charts the history of the Quantitative Methods in Finance (QMF) conference from its beginning in 1993 to the 15th conference in 2007. It lists alphabetically the 1037 speakers who presented at all 15 conferences and the titles of their papers.

Stressing rating criteria allowing for default clustering: the CPDO case

After a brief review of the literature on rating arbitrage for corporate and structured nance, we introduce the standard criteria adopted by rating agencies to assess riskiness of Constant Proportion Debt Obligations (CPDO). Then, we propose a new rating model in order to incorporate a more realistic loss distribution showing a multi-modal shape, which, in turn, is linked to default possibilities for clusters (possibly sectors) of names of the economy. In this framework, we show that the riskiness of CPDOs is substantially increased leading to a decrease of their rating, and in particular, we found that the expected payout of the gap-risk option, embedded in CPDOs, is greatly enhanced.CPDO Rating, Rating Arbitrage, Structured Finance, Loss Distribution, Loss Dynamics, Cluster Default Dynamics, Gap Risk

Optimal algorithmic trading and market microstructure

The efficient frontier is a core concept in Modern Portfolio Theory. Based on this idea, we will construct optimal trading curves for different types of portfolios. These curves correspond to the algorithmic trading strategies that minimize the expected transaction costs, i.e. the joint effect of market impact and market risk. We will study five portfolio trading strategies. For the first three (single-asset, general multi-asseet and balanced portfolios) we will assume that the underlyings follow a Gaussian diffusion, whereas for the last two portfolios we will suppose that there exists a combination of assets such that the corresponding portfolio follows a mean-reverting dynamics. The optimal trading curves can be computed by solving an N-dimensional optimization problem, where N is the (pre-determined) number of trading times. We will solve the recursive algorithm using the "shooting method", a numerical technique for differential equations. This method has the advantage that its corresponding equation is always one-dimensional regardless of the number of trading times N. This novel approach could be appealing for high-frequency traders and electronic brokers.quantitative finance; optimal trading; algorithmic trading; systematic trading; market microstructure