Robustness of quadratic hedging strategies in finance via backward stochastic differential equations with jumps

We consider a backward stochastic differential equation with jumps (BSDEJ) which is driven by a Brownian motion and a Poisson random measure. We present two candidate-approximations to this BSDEJ and we prove that the solution of each candidate- approximation converges to the solution of the original BSDEJ in a space which we specify. We use this result to investigate in further detail the consequences of the choice of the model to (partial) hedging in incomplete markets in finance. As an application, we consider models in which the small variations in the price dynamics are modeled with a Poisson random measure with infinite activity and models in which these small variations are modeled with a Brownian motion. Using the convergence results on BSDEJs, we show that quadratic hedging strategies are robust towards the choice of the model and we derive an estimation of the model risk

Robustness of quadratic hedging strategies in finance via Fourier transforms

In this paper we investigate the consequences of the choice of the model to partial hedging in incomplete markets in finance. In fact we consider two models for the stock price process. The first model is a geometric Lévy process in which the small jumps might have infinite activity. The second model is a geometric Lévy process where the small jumps are truncated or replaced by a Brownian motion which is appropriately scaled. To prove the robustness of the quadratic hedging strategies we use pricing and hedging formulas based on Fourier transform techniques. We compute convergence rates and motivate the applicability of our results with examples

Robust Hedging of Variance Swaps: Discrete Sampling & Co-maturing European Options

In the practice of quantitative finance, model risk has raised significant concern and thus model-independent hedging is of particular interest to both academia and industry. In this thesis, we review two methods of constructing robust and model-independent hedging portfolios of variance swaps. One of them assumes a continuum of European options trade but does not require the underlying asset's price path to be continuous. However, the other assumes finite number of options quoted but requires the continuity of underlying asset's price path. We explore numerically the hedging performance as well as upper and lower bounds of several numerical examples by implementing these two methods. Finally, we try to combine these two methods and use an example to show an idea of a possible approach of doing this

Hedging strategies and minimal variance portfolios for European and exotic options in a Levy market

This paper presents hedging strategies for European and exotic options in a Levy market. By applying Taylor's Theorem, dynamic hedging portfolios are con- structed under different market assumptions, such as the existence of power jump assets or moment swaps. In the case of European options or baskets of European options, static hedging is implemented. It is shown that perfect hedging can be achieved. Delta and gamma hedging strategies are extended to higher moment hedging by investing in other traded derivatives depending on the same underlying asset. This development is of practical importance as such other derivatives might be readily available. Moment swaps or power jump assets are not typically liquidly traded. It is shown how minimal variance portfolios can be used to hedge the higher order terms in a Taylor expansion of the pricing function, investing only in a risk-free bank account, the underlying asset and potentially variance swaps. The numerical algorithms and performance of the hedging strategies are presented, showing the practical utility of the derived results.Comment: 32 pages, 6 figure

Asymptotic Power Utility-Based Pricing and Hedging

Kramkov and Sirbu (2006, 2007) have shown that first-order approximations of power utility-based prices and hedging strategies can be computed by solving a mean-variance hedging problem under a specific equivalent martingale measure and relative to a suitable numeraire. In order to avoid the introduction of an additional state variable necessitated by the change of numeraire, we propose an alternative representation in terms of the original numeraire. More specifically, we characterize the relevant quantities using semimartingale characteristics similarly as in Cerny and Kallsen (2007) for mean-variance hedging. These results are illustrated by applying them to exponential L\'evy processes and stochastic volatility models of Barndorff-Nielsen and Shephard type.Comment: 32 pages, 4 figures, to appear in "Mathematics and Financial Economics

Jump starting GARCH: pricing and hedging options with jumps in returns and volatilities

This paper considers the pricing of options when there are jumps in the pricing kernel and correlated jumps in asset returns and volatilities. Our model nests Duan’s GARCH option models, where conditional returns are constrained to being normal, as well as mixed jump processes as used in Merton. The diffusion limits of our model have been shown to include jump diffusion models, stochastic volatility models and models with both jumps and diffusive elements in both returns and volatilities. Empirical analysis on the S&P 500 index reveals that the incorporation of jumps in returns and volatilities adds significantly to the description of the time series process and improves option pricing performance. In addition, we provide the first-ever hedging effectiveness tests of GARCH option models.Options (Finance) ; Hedging (Finance)

Utility based pricing and hedging of jump diffusion processes with a view to applications

We discuss utility based pricing and hedging of jump diffusion processes with emphasis on the practical applicability of the framework. We point out two difficulties that seem to limit this applicability, namely drift dependence and essential risk aversion independence. We suggest to solve these by a re-interpretation of the framework. This leads to the notion of an implied drift. We also present a heuristic derivation of the marginal indifference price and the marginal optimal hedge that might be useful in numerical computations.Comment: 23 pages, v2: publishe