Research articles for the 2019-05-27

Contest Architecture with Public Disclosures
Toomas Hinnosaar
arXiv

I study optimal disclosure policies in sequential contests. A contest designer chooses at which periods to publicly disclose the efforts of previous contestants. I provide results for a wide range of possible objectives for the contest designer. While different objectives involve different trade-offs, I that show that under many circumstances the optimal contest is one of the three basic contest structures widely studied in the literature: simultaneous, first-mover, or sequential contest.



Exact Solutions for a GBM-type Stochastic Volatility Model having a Stationary Distribution
Alan L. Lewis
arXiv

We find various exact solutions for a new stochastic volatility (SV) model: the transition probability density, European-style option values, and (when it exists) the martingale defect. This may represent the first example of an SV model combining exact solutions, GBM-type volatility noise, and a stationary volatility density.



Gated deep neural networks for implied volatility surfaces
Yu Zheng,Yongxin Yang,Bowei Chen
arXiv

This paper presents a framework of developing neural networks for predicting implied volatility surfaces. Conventional financial conditions and empirical evidence related to the implied volatility are incorporated into the neural network architecture design and model training including no static arbitrage, boundaries, asymptotic slope and volatility smile. They are also satisfied empirically by the option data on the S&P 500 index over twenty years. The developed neural network model and its simplified variations outperform the widely used surface stochastic volatility inspired (SSVI) model on the mean average percentage error in both in-sample and out-of-sample datasets. This study has two main methodological contributions. First, an accurate deep learning prediction model is developed and tailored to implied volatility surfaces. Second, a framework, which seamlessly combines data-driven models with financial theories, can be extended and applied to solve other related business problems.



Leave-One-Out Least Square Monte Carlo Algorithm for Pricing American Options
Jeechul Woo,Chenru Liu,Jaehyuk Choi
arXiv

The least square Monte Carlo (LSM) algorithm proposed by Longstaff and Schwartz [2001] is widely used for pricing American options. The LSM estimator contains undesirable look-ahead bias, and the conventional technique of removing it necessitates doubling simulations. We present the leave-one-out LSM (LOOLSM) algorithm for efficiently eliminating look-ahead bias. We validate the method with several option examples, including the multi-asset cases that the LSM algorithm significantly overvalues. We also obtain the convergence rates of look-ahead bias by measuring it using the LOOLSM method. The analysis and computational evidence support our findings.



Optimal Dynamic Basis Trading
Bahman Angoshtari,Tim Leung
arXiv

We study the problem of dynamically trading a futures contract and its underlying asset under a stochastic basis model. The basis evolution is modeled by a stopped scaled Brownian bridge to account for non-convergence of the basis at maturity. The optimal trading strategies are determined from a utility maximization problem under hyperbolic absolute risk aversion (HARA) risk preferences. By analyzing the associated Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation, we derive the exact conditions under which the equation admits a solution and solve the utility maximization explicitly. A series of numerical examples are provided to illustrate the optimal strategies and examine the effects of model parameters.



Optimal electricity demand response contracting with responsiveness incentives
René Aïd,Dylan Possamaï,Nizar Touzi
arXiv

Despite the success of demand response programs in retail electricity markets in reducing average consumption, the random responsiveness of consumers to price event makes their efficiency questionable to achieve the flexibility needed for electric systems with a large share of renewable energy. The variance of consumers' responses depreciates the value of these mechanisms and makes them weakly reliable. This paper aims at designing demand response contracts which allow to act on both the average consumption and its variance. The interaction between a risk--averse producer and a risk--averse consumer is modelled through a Principal--Agent problem, thus accounting for the moral hazard underlying demand response contracts. We provide closed--form solution for the optimal contract in the case of constant marginal costs of energy and volatility for the producer and constant marginal value of energy for the consumer. We show that the optimal contract has a rebate form where the initial condition of the consumption serves as a baseline. Further, the consumer cannot manipulate the baseline at his own advantage. The second--best price for energy and volatility are non--constant and non--increasing in time. The price for energy is lower (resp. higher) than the marginal cost of energy during peak--load (resp. off--peak) periods. We illustrate the potential benefit issued from the implementation of an incentive mechanism on the responsiveness of the consumer by calibrating our model with publicly available data. We predict a significant increase of responsiveness under our optimal contract and a significant increase of the producer satisfaction.



Options to Receive Retirement Gratuity
Reason Machete
arXiv

Retirement gratuity is the money companies typically pay their employees at the end of their contracts or at the time of leaving the company. It is a defined benefit plan and is often given as an alternative to a pension plan. In Botswana, there is now a new pattern whereby companies give their employees the option to receive their gratuity at various stages before the end of their contracts. In particular, some companies give their employees an option to receive their gratuity on a monthly basis rather than having them wait for a year or more. Many employees find this option attractive, but is it economically sound? This paper sheds light on this question by quantifying the economic benefits of the tax relief provided by government relative to investing the monthly-received funds in a risk-free savings account or helping repay a loan. The principles and methods used herein can be adapted and applied to different taxation systems.



Pricing of counterparty risk and funding with CSA discounting, portfolio effects and initial margin
Francesca Biagini,Alessandro Gnoatto,Immacolata Oliva
arXiv

In this paper we extend the existing literature on xVA along three directions. First, we extend existing BSDE-based xVA frameworks to include initial margin by following the approach of Cr\'epey (2015a) and Cr\'epey (2015b). Next, we solve the consistency problem that arises when the front-office desk of the bank uses trade-specific discount curves that differ from the discount curve adopted by the xVA desk. Finally, we address the existence of multiple aggregation levels for contingent claims in the portfolio between the bank and the counterparty by providing suitable extensions of our proposed single-claim xVA framework.



Revisiting Feller Diffusion: Derivation and Simulation
Ranjiva Munasinghe,Leslie Kanthan,Pathum Kossinna
arXiv

We propose a simpler derivation of the probability density function of Feller Diffusion using the Fourier Transform and solving the resulting equation via the Method of Characteristics. We also discuss simulation algorithms and confirm key properties related to hitting time probabilities via the simulation.



Score-Driven Exponential Random Graphs: A New Class of Time-Varying Parameter Models for Dynamical Networks
Domenico Di Gangi,Giacomo Bormetti,Fabrizio Lillo
arXiv

Motivated by the evidence that real-world networks evolve in time and may exhibit non-stationary features, we propose an extension of the Exponential Random Graph Models (ERGMs) accommodating the time variation of network parameters. Within the ERGM framework, a network realization is sampled from a static probability distribution defined parametrically in terms of network statistics. Inspired by the fast growing literature on Dynamic Conditional Score-driven models, in our approach, each parameter evolves according to an updating rule driven by the score of the conditional distribution. We demonstrate the flexibility of the score-driven ERGMs, both as data generating processes and as filters, and we prove the advantages of the dynamic version with respect to the static one. Our method captures dynamical network dependencies, that emerge from the data, and allows for a test discriminating between static or time-varying parameters. Finally, we corroborate our findings with the application to networks from real financial and political systems exhibiting non stationary dynamics.



Turning Facts into Legal Guidelines and Reducing Judicial Uncertainty thru Methodological Innovations: Application to Contract Damages
Giaoui, Frank
SSRN
From the perspective of both plaintiffs and defendants, the measurement of the damages quantum is obviously of the utmost importance. Therefore, it is surprising to see this process left entirely to the court’s discretion â€" especially since the quantum is traditionally considered a factual question. The result is that each litigation becomes a unique case calling for a sui generis outcome.This article shows the limits of that approach. It leads to a structural uncertainty that is detrimental to the legitimate expectations of both parties. In practice, it deeply corrupts the fundamental principle of full recovery. I would argue there exist ways to move towards a model in which the valuation of damages will be a question of law that follows rules and methods whose application will be reviewable. In this article, I begin to explore some of these ways, specifically with respect to damages for breach of contract, using two simultaneous methodologies. The first is a comparison between French civil law, American common law and international commercial law, and the second is an empirical study involving both qualitative interviews with practitioners and the quantitative analysis of a proprietary sample of cases in which damages are difficult to measure. The article concludes with recommendations for judicial practices and a discussion of the possibility of predictive justice through shared compensatory damages schedules, which could eventually lead to artificial intelligence models.

对自身经济状况的不满意å'ŒæŠ•资推广信息是如何影å" P2P ç½'贷投资意愿的?来自稀缺思维理论与é"™è¯¯ç®¡ç†ç†è®ºçš„解释 (How Financial Dissatisfaction and Investment Promotion Information Affect the Investment Intention in P2P Lending? An Explanation From Scarcity Mind-Set and Error Management Theory)
Deng, Shichang,Huang, Qianqian,He, Yazhou
SSRN
Chinese Abstract: 在社区公益活动中,æˆ'们观察到对自身经济状况不满意的人群更有可能被投资机构的推广信息所影å"ï¼Œå‡ºçŽ°è¾ƒé«˜çš„P2Pç½'贷投资意愿。虽然该现象非常普遍,然而这其中的机制却缺乏ç "究。在本ç "究中,æˆ'们通过稀缺思维理论 (Shah, Shafir, & Mullainathan, 2015) å'Œé"™è¯¯ç®¡ç†ç†è®º (Haselton & Buss, 2009) 对这一现象的形成机制进行了分析。通过两个实验,æˆ'们取得了三项ç "ç©¶å'现。首先,经济状况满意程度对P2Pç½'贷投资意愿有着显è'—å½±å"ï¼Œå¯¹è‡ªèº«ç»æµŽçŠ¶å†µä¸æ»¡æ„çš„ä¸ªä½"表现出了显è'—更高的P2Pç½'贷投资意愿。其次,这一现象的形成原因是因为对自身经济状况不满意的个ä½"会显è'—高估P2Pç½'贷中的投资利益,显è'—低估投资中的风险,使得其在面对P2Pç½'贷投资产å"æ—¶æ›´å€¾å'于选择IIç±»é"™è¯¯ï¼ˆå³å†'着风险进行投资的取伪é"™è¯¯ï¼‰ã€‚最后,é¼"励ç½'贷投资的推广信息在经济状况满意程度对P2Pç½'贷投资意愿的影å"ä¸­èµ·äº†æ˜¾è'—的正å'调节作ç"¨ï¼Œæš´éœ²äºŽç½'贷投资推广信息增强了对自身经济状况不满意的个ä½"在面对P2Pç½'贷投资时的感知利益上升、感知风险下降å'ŒæŠ•资意愿升高的倾å'。基于这些å'现,æˆ'们一方面建议未来的äº'è"ç½'é‡'融投资åº"该设立一定的投资门槛以防范盲目投资,另一方面建议åº"该加强对ç½'贷投资推广信息的ç›'管。English Abstract: In our community charity activities, we observed that people who are dissatisfied with their financial situation are more likely to be affected by the promotion information from online investment institutions, resulting in higher P2P lending investment intention. Although this phenomenon is very common, the mechanism is lacking in research. In this study, we explored the mechanism of this phenomenon through scarcity mind-set theory (Shah, Shafir, & Mullainathan, 2015) and error management theory (Haselton & Buss, 2009). Through two experiments, we have made three research findings. Firstly, the degree of financial satisfaction has a significant impact on P2P lending investment intention. Individuals who are relatively financial dissatisfied have shown a significantly higher intention in investing in P2P lending. Secondly, the mechanism of the above phenomenon is that individuals in financial dissatisfaction were significantly overestimated the investment benefits in P2P lending, and significantly underestimated the risks in that investment, making them more inclined to choose a type II error (the false negative error, i.e., investing in risk) in P2P lending investment. Finally, the promotion information which encouraging online investment has played as a significant positive moderator between financial dissatisfaction and P2P lending investment intention. After being exposed to investment promotion information, individuals in financial dissatisfaction shown an increasing tendency in overestimate investment benefits and underestimate investment risks, and the intention to invest in P2P lending were much stronger. Based on these findings, we suggest that online financial investment firms should set a certain investment threshold to prevent irrational investment. Moreover, we suggest strengthening the supervision of online investment promotion information.