A comprehensive overview of
weak convergence of stochastic processes and its application to the study of financial
markets. Split into three parts, the first recalls the mathematics of stochastic processes
and stochastic calculus with special emphasis on contiguity properties and weak
convergence of stochastic integrals. The second part is devoted to the analysis of
financial theory from the convergence point of view. The main problems, which include
portfolio optimization, option pricing and hedging are examined, especially when
considering discrete-time approximations of continuous-time dynamics. The third part deals
with lattice- and tree-based computational procedures for option pricing both on stocks
and stochastic bonds. More general discrete approximations are also introduced and
detailed. Includes detailed examples.
Written for: Researchers in finance
Table of Contents
1. Weak Convergence of
Stochastic Processes
1 1.1 Basic Properties of
Stochastic Processes
1.1.1 Stochastic Basis,
Filtration, Stopping Times
1.1.2 Stochastic Processes
1.1.3 Martingales
1.1.4 Semimartingales and
Stochastic Integrals
1.1.5 Markov Processes and
Stochastic Differential Equations
1.1.6 The Discrete Time
Case
1.2 Weak Convergence
1.2.1 The Skorokhod Topology
1.2.2 Continuity for the
Skorokhod Topology
1.2.3 Definition of Weak
Convergence
1.2.4 Criteria for Tightness
in D^k
1.2.5 The Meyer-Zheng
Topology
1.3 Weak Convergence to a
Semimartingale
1.3.1 Functional Convergence
and Characteristics
1.3.2 Limits of Martingales
1.3.3 Limit Theorems for
Markov Processes
1.3.4 Convergence of
Triangular Arrays
1.4 Weak Convergence of
Stochastic Integrals
1.4.1 Introduction
1.4.2 The Uniform Tightness
Condition U.T
1.4.3 Functional Limit
Theorems for Sequences of Stochastic Integrals and Stochastic Differential Equations
1.5 Limit Theorems, Density
Processes and Contiguity
1.5.1 Hellinger Integral and
Hellinger Process
1.5.2 Contiguity and Entire
Separation
1.5.3 Convergence of the
Density Processes
1.5.4 The Statistical
Invariance Principle
2. Weak Convergence of
Financial Markets
2.1 Convergence of Optimal
Consumption-Portfolio Strategies
2.1.1 Weak Convergence of
Controlled Processes
2.1.2 The Martingale
Approach
2.2 Convergence of Options
Prices
2.2.1 Problems and Examples
2.2.2 Contiguity Properties
2.2.3 The Case of Incomplete
Markets
2.2.4 Transaction Costs
2.2.5 American Options
2.3 Convergence of Hedging
Strategies
2.3.1 Binomial Case and
Clark-Haussman Formula
2.3.2 Weak Convergence of
Integrands
2.3.3 The Local
Risk-Minimizing Strategy
3. The Basic Models of
Approximations
3.1 General Remarks
3.1.1 Some numerical methods
for forward and backward stochastic differential equations
3.1.2 Some numerical methods
for computations of Greeks
3.2 Lattice
3.2.1 Simple Binomial
Processes as Diffusion Approximations
3.2.2 Correction Terms for
Path-Dependent Options
3.2.3 Adjustment Prior to
Maturity and Smoothing of the Payoff Functions
3.2.4 Fast Accurate Binomial
Pricing
3.2.5 Approximating a
Diffusion by a Trinomial Tree
3.3 Alternative
Approximations
3.3.1 ARCH Approximations
3.3.2 Lévy Processes
3.3.3 Convergence for Random
Time Intervals
3.3.4 Deterministic or
Random Discretizations of Continuous-Time Processes
3.4 Approximations of Term
Structure Models
3.4.1 Bonds and Interest
Rate Derivatives
3.4.2 Basic Interest Models
and their Approximations
3.4.3 Two-factors Model
3.4.4 Market Models :
Discretization of Lognormal Forward Libor and Swap Rate Models
3.4.5 Discretization of
Deflated Bond Prices
3.4.6 Pricing Interest Rate
or Equity Derivatives and Discretization
420 pages