| Abstract: | In finance, the explicit modelling of uncertainty takes on a particularly important role. The values of financial derivatives increase in the return volatility of the underlying security. This notion requires a concept of volatility and hence uncertainty. In addition, the choice between modelling in discrete and continuous time is not arbitrary, since it corresponds to a distinction between incomplete and complete markets, respectively, and this distinction matters for asset pricing, financial risk modelling, and inference. Risk and volatility are closely connected, and implied volatility, volatility forecasting, volatility in term structure models, stochastic volatility, and portfolio analysis are considered and related to a more general interplay between cross-sectional and dynamic aspects in finance. Stocks, bonds, and options are considered and placed in the context of efficiency and separation in inference. |
