For utility functions $u$ finite valued on $\mathbb{R}$, we prove a duality formula for utility maximization with random endowment in general semimartingale incomplete markets. The main novelty of the paper is that possibly non locally bounded semimartingale price processes are allowed. Following Biagini and Frittelli \cite{BiaFri06}, the analysis is based on the duality between the Orlicz spaces $(L^{\widehat{u}}, (L^{\widehat{u}})^*)$ naturally associated to the utility function. This formulation enables several key properties of the indifference price $π(B)$ of a claim $B$ satisfying conditions weaker than those assumed in literature. In particular, the indifference price functional $π$ turns out to be, apart from a sign, a convex risk measure on the Orlicz space $L^{\widehat{u}}$.
We study indifference pricing of exotic derivatives by using hedging strategies that take static positions in quoted derivatives but trade the underlying and cash dynamically over time. We use real quotes that come with bid-ask spreads and finite quantities. Galerkin method and integration quadratures are used to approximate the hedging problem by a finite dimensional convex optimization problem which is solved by an interior point method. The techniques are extended also to situations where the underlying is subject to bid-ask spreads. As an illustration, we compute indifference prices of pat…
We propose an algorithm to calculate the exact solution for utility optimization problems on finite state spaces under a class of non-differentiable preferences. We prove that optimal strategies must lie on a discrete grid in the plane, and this allows us to reduce the dimension of the problem and define a very efficient method to obtain those strategies. We also show how fast approximations for the value function can be obtained with an a priori specified error bound and we use these to replicate results for investment problems with a known closed-form solution. These results show the efficie…
We study the hedging and valuation of European and American claims on a non-traded asset $Y$, when a traded stock $S$ is available for hedging, with $S$ and $Y$ following correlated geometric Brownian motions. This is an incomplete market, often called a basis risk model. The market agent's risk preferences are modelled using a so-called forward performance process (forward utility), which is a time-decreasing utility of exponential type. Moreover, the market agent (investor) does not know with certainty the values of the asset price drifts. This market setting with drift parameter uncertainty…
Our goal is to analyze the system of Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equations arising in derivative securities pricing models. The European style of an option price is constructed as a difference of the certainty equivalents to the value functions solving the system of HJB equations. We introduce the transformation method for solving the penalized nonlinear partial differential equation. The transformed equation involves possibly non-constant the risk aversion function containing the negative ratio between the second and first derivatives of the utility function. Using comparison principles we derive…
We develop a model for indifference pricing in derivatives markets where price quotes have bid-ask spreads and finite quantities. The model quantifies the dependence of the prices and hedging portfolios on an investor's beliefs, risk preferences and financial position as well as on the price quotes. Computational techniques of convex optimisation allow for fast computation of the hedging portfolios and prices as well as sensitivities with respect to various model parameters. We illustrate the techniques by pricing and hedging of exotic derivatives on S&P index using call and put options, forwa…
We propose a model for an insurance loss index and the claims process of a single insurance company holding a fraction of the total number of contracts that captures both ordinary losses and losses due to catastrophes. In this model we price a catastrophe derivative by the method of utility indifference pricing. The associated stochastic optimization problem is treated by techniques for piecewise deterministic Markov processes. A numerical study illustrates our results.
In this paper, we construct the utility-based optimal hedging strategy for a European-type option in the Almgren-Chriss model with temporary price impact. The main mathematical challenge of this work stems from the degeneracy of the second order terms and the quadratic growth of the first order terms in the associated HJB equation, which makes it difficult to establish sufficient regularity of the value function needed to construct the optimal strategy in a feedback form. By combining the analytic and probabilistic tools for describing the value function and the optimal strategy, we establish …
We model a nonlinear price curve quoted in a market as the utility indifference curve of a representative liquidity supplier. As the utility function we adopt a g-expectation. In contrast to the standard framework of financial engineering, a trader is no more price taker as any trade has a permanent market impact via an effect to the supplier's inventory. The P&L of a trading strategy is written as a nonlinear stochastic integral. Under this market impact model, we introduce a completeness condition under which any derivative can be perfectly replicated by a dynamic trading strategy. In the sp…
