Modelling losses and locating the tail with the Pareto Positive Stable distribution

This paper focuses on modelling the severity distribution. We directly model the small, moderate and large losses with the Pareto Positive Stable (PPS) distribution and thus it is not necessary to fix a threshold for the tail behaviour. Estimation with the method of moments is straightforward. Properties, graphical tests and expressions for value-at risk and tail value-at-risk are presented. Furthermore, we show that the PPS distribution can be used to construct a statistical test for the Pareto distribution and to determine the threshold for the Pareto shape if required. An application to loss data is presented. We conclude that the PPS distribution can perform better than commonly used distributions when modelling a single loss distribution for moderate and large losses. This approach avoids the pitfalls of cut-off selection and it is very simple to implement for quantitative risk analysis.     

Chaos expansion and asymptotic behavior of the Pareto distribution

We give the chaos expansion of a random variable with Pareto distribution and we analyze, by using the Malliavin calculus, the convergence in the distribution of a sequence of random variable with Pareto distribution toward the standard exponential law.     

Bivariate distributions via a Pareto conditional distribution and a regression function

Uniqueness of specification of a bivariate distribution by a Pareto conditional and a consistent regression function is investigated. New characterizations of the Mardia bivariate Pareto distribution and the bivariate Pareto conditionals distribution are obtained.     

Modelling lifetime dependence for older ages using a multivariate Pareto distribution

The main driver of longevity risk is uncertainty in old-age mortality, especially surrounding potential dependence structures. We investigate a multivariate Pareto distribution that allows for the exploration of a variety of applications, from portfolios of standard annuities to joint-life annuity products for couples. Given the anticipated continued increase of supercentenarians, the heavy-tailed nature of the Pareto distribution is appropriate for this application. In past work, it has been shown that even a little dependence between lives can lead to much higher uncertainty. Therefore, the ability to assess and incorporate the appropriate dependence structure, whilst allowing for extreme observations, significantly improves the pricing and risk management of life-benefit products.     

Multivariate Survival Models with a Mixture of Positive Stable Frailties

In this paper, we describe models for dependent multivariate survival data using finite mixtures of positive stable frailty distributions. We investigate the cross-ratio function as a local measure of association. We estimate the parameters in the stable mixture together with the parameters of the (conditional) proportional hazards model in a Bayesian framework using Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithms. We illustrate the methodology using data on kidney infections.     

Tail Behavior, Modes and other Characteristics of Stable Distributions

Stable distributions have heavy tails that are asymptotically Paretian. Accurate computations of stable densities and distribution functions are used to analyze when the Paretian tail actually appears. Implications for estimation procedures are discussed. In addition to numerically locating the mode of a general stable distribution, analytic and numeric results are given for the mode. Extensive tables of stable percentiles have been computed; aspects of these tables and the appropriateness of infinite variance stable models are discussed.     

Determining the Pareto set in a bicriteria two-echelon inventory/distribution system

This article concerns two-echelon inventory/distribution system, consisting of a warehouse and a retailer. We assume that the demand is deterministic and stockouts are not permitted. Two criteria are considered: to minimize the annual inventory cost and the annual total number of damaged items by improper shipment handling. The problem consists of determining the non-dominated inventory policies in such a way that the trade-off between both criteria is achieved. We present the characterization of the non-dominated optimal solution set and we use this result to correct the solution method previously proposed by other authors for a problem with identical cost structure. An efficient algorithm to calculate the non-dominated solution set is introduced. Computational results on several randomly generated problems are reported.     

Pareto分布中门槛值的确定及其在股票市场中的应用

本文根据Pareto分布与两参数指数分布之间的相互关系,利用两参数指数分布的拟合优度检验统计量给出了确定Pareto分布的门槛值的一种方法。利用道琼斯指数和上证综合指数的收益率序列说明所给方法,结果表明所给方法优于现有方法。     

A hybrid Pareto model for asymmetric fat-tailed data: the univariate case

Density estimators that can adapt to asymmetric heavy tails are required in many applications such as finance and insurance. Extreme value theory (EVT) has developed principled methods based on asymptotic results to estimate the tails of most distributions. However, the finite sample approximation might introduce a severe bias in many cases. Moreover, the full range of the distribution is often needed, not only the tail area. On the other hand, non-parametric methods, while being powerful where data are abundant, fail to extrapolate properly in the tail area. We put forward a non-parametric density estimator that brings together the strengths of non-parametric density estimation and of EVT. A hybrid Pareto distribution that can be used in a mixture model is proposed to extend the generalized Pareto (GP) to the whole real axis. Experiments on simulated data show the following. On one hand, the mixture of hybrid Paretos converges faster in terms of log-likelihood and provides good estimates of the tail of the distributions when compared with other density estimators including the GP distribution. On the other hand, the mixture of hybrid Paretos offers an alternate way to estimate the tail index which is comparable to the one estimated with the standard GP methodology. The mixture of hybrids is also evaluated on the Danish fire insurance data set.      

On a General Theorem of Set Theory Leading to the Gibbs, Bose-Einstein, and Pareto Distributions as well as to the Zipf-Mandelbrot Law for the Stock Market

The notion of density of a finite set is introduced. We prove a general theorem of set theory which refines the Gibbs, Bose-Einstein, and Pareto distributions as well as the Zipf law.     

Pareto分布形状参数的E-Bayes估计和多层Bayes估计及其应用

给出了参数的E-Bayes估计的定义,对Pareto分布在尺度参数已知时,在平方损失下给出了形状参数的E-Bayes估计和多层Bayes估计,并且用Monte Carlo方法给出了模拟算例.最后,结合高尔夫球手收入数据的实际问题进行了计算,结果表明本文提出的方法可行且便于应用.     

A limit distribution of credit portfolio losses with low default probabilities

This paper employs a multivariate extreme value theory (EVT) approach to study the limit distribution of the loss of a general credit portfolio with low default probabilities. A latent variable model is employed to quantify the credit portfolio loss, where both heavy tails and tail dependence of the latent variables are realized via a multivariate regular variation (MRV) structure. An approximation formula to implement our main result numerically is obtained. Intensive simulation experiments are conducted, showing that this approximation formula is accurate for relatively small default probabilities, and that our approach is superior to a copula-based approach in reducing model risk.     

Bayesian analysis of loss reserving using dynamic models with generalized beta distribution

A Bayesian approach is presented in order to model long tail loss reserving data using the generalized beta distribution of the second kind (GB2) with dynamic mean functions and mixture model representation. The proposed GB2 distribution provides a flexible probability density function, which nests various distributions with light and heavy tails, to facilitate accurate loss reserving in insurance applications. Extending the mean functions to include the state space and threshold models provides a dynamic approach to allow for irregular claims behaviors and legislative change which may occur during the claims settlement period. The mixture of GB2 distributions is proposed as a mean of modeling the unobserved heterogeneity which arises from the incidence of very large claims in the loss reserving data. It is shown through both simulation study and forecasting that model parameters are estimated with high accuracy.     

Generalizing the Pareto to the log-Pareto model and statistical inference

In this article we introduce a full-fledged statistical model of log-Pareto distribution functions (dfs) parametrized by two shape parameters and a scale parameter. Pareto dfs can be regained in the limit by varying parameters of log-Pareto dfs, whence the log-Pareto model can be regarded as an extension of the Pareto model. Log-Pareto dfs are first of all obtained by means of exponential transformations of Pareto dfs. We also indicate an iterated application of such a procedure. A class of generalized log-Pareto dfs is considered as well. In addition, power-pot (p-pot) stable dfs – related to p-max stable dfs – are introduced and log-Pareto dfs are identified as special cases. A modification of a quick (systematic) estimator is proposed as an initial estimator for the numerical computation of the maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) in the 3-parameter model.      

Modelling life tables with advanced ages: An extreme value theory approach

We propose a new model – we call it a smoothed threshold life table (STLT) model – to generate life tables incorporating information on advanced ages. Our method allows a smooth mortality transition from non-extreme to extreme ages, and provides objectively determined highest attained ages with which to close the life table.We proceed by modifying the threshold life table (TLT) model developed by Li et al. (2008). In the TLT model, extreme value theory (EVT) is used to make optimal use of the relatively small number of observations at high ages, while the traditional Gompertz distribution is assumed for earlier ages. Our novel contribution is to constrain the hazard function of the two-part lifetime distribution to be continuous at the changeover point between the Gompertz and EVT models. This simple but far-reaching modification not only guarantees a smooth transition from non-extreme to extreme ages, but also provides a better and more robust fit than the TLT model when applied to a high quality Netherlands dataset. We show that the STLT model also compares favourably with other existing methods, including the Gompertz–Makeham model, logistic models, Heligman–Pollard model and Coale–Kisker method, and that a further generalisation, a time-dependent dynamic smooth threshold life table (DSTLT) model, generally has superior in-sample fitting as well as better out-of-sample forecasting performance, compared, for example, with the Cairns et al. (2006) model.     

具有正负系数中立型微分方程的正解

本文研究具有正负系数的中立型微分方程[X（t）-R（t）x（t-r）]'+P（t）x（t-r）-Q（t）x（t-δ）=0.在允许R（t）＋Q（s）ds1不成立的条件下,获得方程（*）存在正解的两个充分条件．     

广义Pareto模型统计推断及其应用

广义Pareto分布能很好地拟合数据分布的尾部,广泛地应用于金融市场的风险管理、风险经营问题的研究。利用概率加权矩法得到了三参数广义Pareto模型的参数估计式,给出了阈值的选取方法和风险值的计算公式;利用计算机模拟,计算得出了KS检验统计量的临界值。     

Explicit Expressions for the Ruin Probabilities of Erlang Risk Processes with Pareto Individual Claim Distributions

In this paper we first consider a risk process in which claim inter-arrival times and the time untilthe first claim have an Erlang (2) distribution.An explicit solution is derived for the probability of ultimateruin,given an initial reserve of u when the claim size follows a Pareto distribution.Follow Ramsay,Laplacetransforms and exponential integrals are used to derive the solution,which involves a single integral of realvalued functions along the positive real line,and the integrand is not of an oscillating kind.Then we showthat the ultimate ruin probability can be expressed as the sum of expected values of functions of two differentGamma random variables.Finally,the results are extended to the Erlang(n) case.Numerical examples aregiven to illustrate the main results.