基于Copula的VsR度量与事后检验

估计VaR的传统方法有三种:协方差矩阵法、历史模拟法和蒙特仁洛模拟法。通常,文献中认为刚蒙特卡洛模拟法度量VaR有很多方面的优点。但是,本文通过实证检验发现,使用传统蒙特卡洛模拟法估计的VaR偏小,事后检验效果很不理想。本文引入Copula函数来改进传统的蒙特卡洛模拟法。Copula函数能将单个边际分布和多元联合分布联系起来,能处理非正态的边际分布,并且它度量的相关性不再局限于线性相关性。实证检验表明,基于Copula的蒙特卡罗模拟法可以更加准确地度量资产组合的VaR。     

Statistical bootstrapping methods in VaR calculation

Monte Carlo methods are often applied to problems in finance especially in the area of risk calculation by the Value-atRisk (VaR) measure. Different applications of statistical resampling techniques are shown, specifically bootstrapping, to refine the computational results in different ways. Methods are provided for improving backtesting stability, acceleration of Monte Carlo VaR convergence by orders of magnitude, and incorporating covariance matrix uncertainty in VaR figures. Existing methods are applied and new solutions developed. Extensive numerical tests on large numbers of randomly generated portfolios prove the effectiveness of the suggested solutions.     

基于区间分析的投资组合VaR计算新方法

基于区间分析估计变量的累计概率分布是进行风险价值分析的一种新方法。本文将区间分析运用到股票投资组合的VaR计算中,研究区间分析在VaR计算方法中的应用。首先给出了基于区间分析估计分布函数的计算步骤,然后将区间分析运用到VaR的计算中,以两只股票的投资组合为例得出收益率的累计概率分布,从中得到某一置信度下的VaR值,最后与蒙特卡洛模拟方法做了比较研究,结果表明,基于区间分析的VaR计算方法的运算精度和计算速度明显优于蒙特卡洛模拟方法。     

Asymptotic representations for importance-sampling estimators of value-at-risk and conditional value-at-risk

Value-at-risk (VaR) and conditional value-at-risk (CVaR) are important risk measures. They are often estimated by using importance-sampling (IS) techniques. In this paper, we derive the asymptotic representations for IS estimators of VaR and CVaR. Based on these representations, we are able to prove the consistency and asymptotic normality of the estimators and to provide simple conditions under which the IS estimators have smaller asymptotic variances than the ordinary Monte Carlo estimators.     

Comparison of certain value-at-risk estimation methods for the two-parameter Weibull loss distribution

The Weibull distribution is one of the most important distributions that is utilized as a probability model for loss amounts in connection with actuarial and financial risk management problems. This paper considers the Weibull distribution and its quantiles in the context of estimation of a risk measure called Value-at-Risk (VaR). VaR is simply the maximum loss in a specified period with a pre-assigned probability level. We attempt to present certain estimation methods for VaR as a quantile of a distribution and compare these methods with respect to their deficiency (Def) values. Along this line, the results of some Monte Carlo simulations, that we have conducted for detailed investigations on the efficiency of the estimators as compared to MLE, are provided.     

The practice of Delta–Gamma VaR: Implementing the quadratic portfolio model

This paper intends to critically evaluate state-of-the-art methodologies for calculating the value-at-risk (VaR) of non-linear portfolios from the point of view of computational accuracy and efficiency. We focus on the quadratic portfolio model, also known as “Delta–Gamma”, and, as a working assumption, we model risk factor returns as multi-normal random variables. We present the main approaches to Delta–Gamma VaR weighing their merits and accuracy from an implementation-oriented standpoint. One of our main conclusions is that the Delta–Gamma-Normal VaR may be less accurate than even Delta VaR. On the other hand, we show that methods that essentially take into account the non-linearity (hence gammas and third or higher moments) of the portfolio values may present significant advantages over full Monte Carlo revaluations. The role of non-diagonal terms in the Gamma matrix as well as the sensitivity to correlation is considered both for accuracy and computational effort. We also qualitatively examine the robustness of Delta–Gamma methodologies by considering a highly non-quadratic portfolio value function.     

Optimal stochastic quadrature formulas for convex functions

We study optimal stochastic (or Monte Carlo) quadrature formulas for convex functions. While nonadaptive Monte Carlo methods are not better than deterministic methods, we prove that adaptive Monte Carlo methods are much better.Supported by a Heisenberg scholarship of the DFG.     

Efficient deterministic numerical simulation of stochastic asset-liability management models in life insurance

New regulations, stronger competitions and more volatile capital markets have increased the demand for stochastic asset-liability management (ALM) models for insurance companies in recent years. The numerical simulation of such models is usually performed by Monte Carlo methods which suffer from a slow and erratic convergence, though. As alternatives to Monte Carlo simulation, we propose and investigate in this article the use of deterministic integration schemes, such as quasi-Monte Carlo and sparse grid quadrature methods. Numerical experiments with different ALM models for portfolios of participating life insurance products demonstrate that these deterministic methods often converge faster, are less erratic and produce more accurate results than Monte Carlo simulation even for small sample sizes and complex models if the methods are combined with adaptivity and dimension reduction techniques. In addition, we show by an analysis of variance (ANOVA) that ALM problems are often of very low effective dimension which provides a theoretical explanation for the success of the deterministic quadrature methods.     

Composite quantile regression estimation for P-GARCH processes

We consider the periodic generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity(P-GARCH) process and propose a robust estimator by composite quantile regression. We study some useful properties about the P-GARCH model. Under some mild conditions, we establish the asymptotic results of proposed estimator.The Monte Carlo simulation is presented to assess the performance of proposed estimator. Numerical study results show that our proposed estimation outperforms other existing methods for heavy tailed distributions.The proposed methodology is also illustrated by Va R on stock price data.     

基于Clayton Copula-GARCH模型投资组合VaR的度量

运用Copula方法研究了含股指期货的投资组合的风险度量问题.首先采用不同的GARCH模型对单个资产收益率建模,然后选择Clayton Copula函数来描述投资组合各资产之间的相关结构,建立联合分布模型,进而采用Monte Carlo方法模拟产生各资产的收益率序列,计算出投资组合的VaR.Kupiec检验表明,ClaytonCopula-GARCH模型在投资组合风险度量上具有较高的准确性.     

基于有效Monte Carlo模拟的外汇期权组合非线性VaR模型

为了克服极小概率事件发生概率估计的困难,提出了把重要抽样技术发展到外汇期权组合非线性VaR模型中,估计出组合损失概率。为了进一步达到减少模拟估计误差目的,在重要抽样技术基础上使用分层抽样技术,进行更有效的Monte Carlo模拟。数值结果表明,重要抽样技术算法比常用Monte Carlo模拟法的计算效率更有效;而重要抽样技术和分层抽样技术相结合算法比重要抽样技术算法更有效地减少模拟所要估计的组合损失概率的方差,有着更高的计算效率。     

藤Copula模型与多资产投资组合VaR预测

投资组合风险管理往往涉及多个资产,在传统的二元Copula函数面临"维度诅咒"问题及多元Copula函数刻画多变量联合分布时其精确性和灵活性存在各种局限性的情况下,引入藤Copula刻画多个资产收益的联合分布,基于不同的Pair-Copula类别构建藤Copula,运用蒙特卡罗模拟方法计算多资产投资组合的VaR,通过Kupiec和Christoffersen返回检验方法测试藤Copula模型的VaR预测效果,并与传统方差-协方差风险管理方法做比较。实证分析表明,传统的方差-协方差风险管理方法和基于正态Pair-Copula作为藤Copula构建模块的方法不能通过多资产投资组合的VaR预测返回检验;而基于student-t Copula、Clayton Copula具有尾部分布特征的Copula作为构建模块的藤Copula模型能够有效地用于多资产投资组合VaR预测,从而更好的用于指导实践。     

Subregion-Adaptive Integration of Functions Having a Dominant Peak

Abstract

Many statistical multiple integration problems involve integrands that have a dominant peak. In applying numerical methods to solve these problems, statisticians have paid relatively little attention to existing quadrature methods and available software developed in the numerical analysis literature. One reason these methods have been largely overlooked, even though they are known to be more efficient than Monte Carlo for well-behaved problems of low dimensionality, may be that when applied naively they are poorly suited for peaked-integrand problems. In this article we use transformations based on “split t” distributions to allow the integrals to be efficiently computed using a subregion-adaptive numerical integration algorithm. Our split t distributions are modifications of those suggested by Geweke and may also be used to define Monte Carlo importance functions. We then compare our approach to Monte Carlo. In the several examples we examine here, we find subregion-adaptive integration to be substantially more efficient than importance sampling.     

基于VaR的SPAN系统在我国股指期货保证金中的应用研究

基于我国股指期货的真实数据,灵活运用参数VaR模型,蒙特卡罗方法和Copula技术,给出了SPAN系统应用在中国股指期货保证金上的详细步骤以及具有中国特色的参数设置方法,解决了股指期货推出初期SPAN系统中有关参数设置问题这一技术障碍.实证结果显示,我国股指期货合约所需保证金均低于当前国内股指期货保证金水平,应该改进保证金模式、降低保证金水平.     

Portfolio value-at-risk estimation in energy futures markets with time-varying copula-GARCH model

This paper combines copula functions with GARCH-type models to construct the conditional joint distribution, which is used to estimate Value-at-Risk (VaR) of an equally weighted portfolio comprising crude oil futures and natural gas futures in energy market. Both constant and time-varying copulas are applied to fit the dependence structure of the two assets returns. The findings show that the constant Student t copula is a good compromise for effectively fitting the dependence structure between crude oil futures and natural gas futures. Moreover, the skewed Student t distribution has a better fit than Normal and Student t distribution to the marginal distribution of each asset. Asymmetries and excess kurtosis are found in marginal distributions as well as in dependence. We estimate VaR of the underlying portfolio to be 95% and 99%, by using the Monte Carlo simulation. Then using backtesting, we compare the out-of-sample forecasting performances of VaR estimated by different models.     

Robust asset allocation with conditional value at risk using the forward search

The well‐known Markowitz approach to portfolio allocation, based on expected returns and their covariance, seems to provide questionable results in financial management. One motivation for the pitfall is that financial returns have heavier than Gaussian tails, so the covariance of returns, used in the Markowitz model as a measure of portfolio risk, is likely to provide a loose quantification of the effective risk. Additionally, the Markowitz approach is very sensitive to small changes in either the expected returns or their correlation, often leading to irrelevant portfolio allocations. More recent allocation techniques are based on alternative risk measures, such as value at risk (VaR) and conditional VaR (CVaR), which are believed to be more accurate measures of risk for fat‐tailed distributions. Nevertheless, both VaR and CVaR estimates can be influenced by the presence of extreme returns. In this paper, we discuss sensitivity to the presence of extreme returns and outliers when optimizing the allocation, under the constraint of keeping CVaR to a minimum. A robust and efficient approach, based on the forward search, is suggested. A Monte Carlo simulation study shows the advantages of the proposed approach, which outperforms both robust and nonrobust alternatives under a variety of specifications. The performance of the method is also thoroughly evaluated with an application to a set of US stocks.     

A random differential transform method: Theory and applications

In this article, a Differential Transform Method (DTM) based on the mean fourth calculus is developed to solve random differential equations. An analytical mean fourth convergent series solution is found for a nonlinear random Riccati differential equation by using the random DTM. Besides obtaining the series solution of the Riccati equation, we provide approximations of the main statistical functions of the stochastic solution process such as the mean and variance. These approximations are compared to those obtained by the Euler and Monte Carlo methods. It is shown that this method applied to the random Riccati differential equation is more efficient than the two above mentioned methods.     

上证50ETF期权定价有效性的研究:基于B-S-M模型和蒙特卡罗模拟

上证50ETF期权作为中国资本市场上股票期权的第一个试点产品,其定价问题尤为重要。本文分别运用B-S-M期权定价模型和蒙特卡罗模拟方法对其定价进行实证研究,分析结果表明:1)IGARCH模型比传统的GARCH模型更能较好地拟合上证50ETF的波动率;2)当模拟次数为1000时,蒙特卡罗方法的效率一致地高于B-S-M模型,并且除了对偶变量技术的拟蒙特卡罗其他模型的精确度也都高于B-S-M模型;3)B-S-M模型和蒙特卡罗模拟方法都可以较为准确地、有效地模拟出上证50ETF期权价格。这些研究将为今后期权定价模型的发展和完善提供必要的参考和指引。     

Analytical valuation and hedging of variable annuity guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefits

Variable annuity is a retirement planning product that allows policyholders to invest their premiums in equity funds. In addition to the participation in equity investments, the majority of variable annuity products in today’s market offer various types of investment guarantees, protecting policyholders from the downside risk of their investments. One of the most popular investment guarantees is known as the guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefit (GLWB). In current market practice, the development of hedging portfolios for such a product relies heavily on Monte Carlo simulations, as there were no known closed-form formulas available in the existing actuarial literature. In this paper, we show that such analytical solutions can in fact be determined for the risk-neutral valuation and delta-hedging of the plain-vanilla GLWB. As we demonstrate by numerical examples, this approach drastically reduces run time as compared to Monte Carlo simulations. The paper also presents a novel technique of fitting exponential sums to a mortality density function, which is numerically more efficient and accurate than the existing methods in the literature.     

Can long-run dynamic optimal strategies outperform fixed-mix portfolios? Evidence from multiple data sets

Using five alternative data sets and a range of specifications concerning the underlying linear predictability models, we study whether long-run dynamic optimizing portfolio strategies may actually outperform simpler benchmarks in out-of-sample tests. The dynamic portfolio problems are solved using a combination of dynamic programming and Monte Carlo methods. The benchmarks are represented by two typical fixed mix strategies: the celebrated equally-weighted portfolio and a myopic, Markowitz-style strategy that fails to account for any predictability in asset returns. Within a framework in which the investor maximizes expected HARA (constant relative risk aversion) utility in a frictionless market, our key finding is that there are enormous difference in optimal long-horizon (in-sample) weights between the mean–variance benchmark and the optimal dynamic weights. In out-of-sample comparisons, there is however no clear-cut, systematic, evidence that long-horizon dynamic strategies outperform naively diversified portfolios.