Advanced Series on Statistical Science & Applied Probability – serie

The author's previous book, Random Walk in Random and Non-Random Environments, was devoted to the investigation of the Brownian motion of a simple particle. The present book studies the independent motions of infinitely many particles in the d-dimensional Euclidean space Rd. In Part I the particles at time t = 0 are distributed in Rd according to the law of a given random field and they execute independent random walks. Part II is devoted to branching random walks, i.e. to the case where the particles execute random motions and birth and death processes independently. Finally, in Part III, functional laws of iterated logarithms are proved for the cases of independent motions and branching processes.

The book is a comprehensive treatment of classical and modern ruin probability theory. Some of the topics are Lundberg's inequality, the Cramér-Lundberg approximation, exact solutions, other approximations (eg. for heavy-tailed claim size distributions), finite horizon ruin probabilities, extensions of the classical compound Poisson model to allow for reserve-dependent premiums, Markov-modulation or periodicity. Special features of the book are the emphasis on change of measure techniques, phase-type distributions as a computational vehicle and the connection to other applied probability areas like queueing theory.

In this book, an integrated introduction to statistical inference is provided from a frequentist likelihood-based viewpoint. Classical results are presented together with recent developments, largely built upon ideas due to R.A. Fisher. The term “neo-Fisherian” highlights this.After a unified review of background material (statistical models, likelihood, data and model reduction, first-order asymptotics) and inference in the presence of nuisance parameters (including pseudo-likelihoods), a self-contained introduction is given to exponential families, exponential dispersion models, generalized linear models, and group families. Finally, basic results of higher-order asymptotics are introduced (index notation, asymptotic expansions for statistics and distributions, and major applications to likelihood inference).The emphasis is more on general concepts and methods than on regularity conditions. Many examples are given for specific statistical models. Each chapter is supplemented with problems and bibliographic notes. This volume can serve as a textbook in intermediate-level undergraduate and postgraduate courses in statistical inference.

Modelling with the Itô integral or stochastic differential equations has become increasingly important in various applied fields, including physics, biology, chemistry and finance. However, stochastic calculus is based on a deep mathematical theory.This book is suitable for the reader without a deep mathematical background. It gives an elementary introduction to that area of probability theory, without burdening the reader with a great deal of measure theory. Applications are taken from stochastic finance. In particular, the Black-Scholes option pricing formula is derived. The book can serve as a text for a course on stochastic calculus for non-mathematicians or as elementary reading material for anyone who wants to learn about Itô calculus and/or stochastic finance.

This important book provides information necessary for those dealing with stochastic calculus and pricing in the models of financial markets operating under uncertainty; introduces the reader to the main concepts, notions and results of stochastic financial mathematics; and develops applications of these results to various kinds of calculations required in financial engineering. It also answers the requests of teachers of financial mathematics and engineering by making a bias towards probabilistic and statistical ideas and the methods of stochastic calculus in the analysis of market risks.

This volume provides an exposition of some fundamental aspects of the asymptotic theory of statistical experiments. The most important of them is “how to construct asymptotically optimal decisions if we know the structure of optimal decisions for the limit experiment”.

This book introduces the mathematics of stochastic interest rate modeling and the pricing of related derivatives, based on a step-by-step presentation of concepts with a focus on explicit calculations. The types of interest rates considered range from short rates to forward rates such as LIBOR and swap rates, which are presented in the HJM and BGM frameworks. The pricing and hedging of interest rate and fixed income derivatives such as bond options, caps, and swaptions, are treated using forward measure techniques. An introduction to default bond pricing and an outlook on model calibration are also included as additional topics.This third edition represents a significant update on the second edition published by World Scientific in 2012. Most chapters have been reorganized and largely rewritten with additional details and supplementary solved exercises. New graphs and simulations based on market data have been included, together with the corresponding R codes.This new edition also contains 75 exercises and 4 problems with detailed solutions, making it suitable for advanced undergraduate and graduate level students.

In this book, an integrated introduction to statistical inference is provided from a frequentist likelihood-based viewpoint. Classical results are presented together with recent developments, largely built upon ideas due to R.A. Fisher. The term “neo-Fisherian” highlights this.After a unified review of background material (statistical models, likelihood, data and model reduction, first-order asymptotics) and inference in the presence of nuisance parameters (including pseudo-likelihoods), a self-contained introduction is given to exponential families, exponential dispersion models, generalized linear models, and group families. Finally, basic results of higher-order asymptotics are introduced (index notation, asymptotic expansions for statistics and distributions, and major applications to likelihood inference).The emphasis is more on general concepts and methods than on regularity conditions. Many examples are given for specific statistical models. Each chapter is supplemented with problems and bibliographic notes. This volume can serve as a textbook in intermediate-level undergraduate and postgraduate courses in statistical inference.

This volume is devoted to the study of asymptotic properties of wide classes of stochastic systems arising in mathematical statistics, percolation theory, statistical physics and reliability theory. Attention is paid not only to positive and negative associations introduced in the pioneering papers by Harris, Lehmann, Esary, Proschan, Walkup, Fortuin, Kasteleyn and Ginibre, but also to new and more general dependence conditions. Naturally, this scope comprises families of independent real-valued random variables. A variety of important results and examples of Markov processes, random measures, stable distributions, Ising ferromagnets, interacting particle systems, stochastic differential equations, random graphs and other models are provided. For such random systems, it is worthwhile to establish principal limit theorems of the modern probability theory (central limit theorem for random fields, weak and strong invariance principles, functional law of the iterated logarithm etc.) and discuss their applications.There are 434 items in the bibliography.The book is self-contained, provides detailed proofs, for reader's convenience some auxiliary results are included in the Appendix (e.g. the classical Hoeffding lemma, basic electric current theory etc.).

The markets for electricity, gas and temperature have distinctive features, which provide the focus for countless studies. For instance, electricity and gas prices may soar several magnitudes above their normal levels within a short time due to imbalances in supply and demand, yielding what is known as spikes in the spot prices. The markets are also largely influenced by seasons, since power demand for heating and cooling varies over the year. The incompleteness of the markets, due to nonstorability of electricity and temperature as well as limited storage capacity of gas, makes spot-forward hedging impossible. Moreover, futures contracts are typically settled over a time period rather than at a fixed date. All these aspects of the markets create new challenges when analyzing price dynamics of spot, futures and other derivatives.This book provides a concise and rigorous treatment on the stochastic modeling of energy markets. Ornstein-Uhlenbeck processes are described as the basic modeling tool for spot price dynamics, where innovations are driven by time-inhomogeneous jump processes. Temperature futures are studied based on a continuous higher-order autoregressive model for the temperature dynamics. The theory presented here pays special attention to the seasonality of volatility and the Samuelson effect. Empirical studies using data from electricity, temperature and gas markets are given to link theory to practice.

This textbook is written as an accessible introduction to interest rate modeling and related derivatives, which have become increasingly important subjects of interest in financial mathematics. The models considered range from standard short rate to forward rate models and include more advanced topics such as the BGM model and an approach to its calibration. An elementary treatment of the pricing of caps and swaptions under forward measures is also provided, with a focus on explicit calculations and a step-by-step introduction of concepts. Each chapter is accompanied with exercises and their complete solutions, making this book suitable for advanced undergraduate or beginning graduate-level students.

The book gives a comprehensive treatment of the classical and modern ruin probability theory. Some of the topics are Lundberg's inequality, the Cramér-Lundberg approximation, exact solutions, other approximations (e.g., for heavy-tailed claim size distributions), finite horizon ruin probabilities, extensions of the classical compound Poisson model to allow for reserve-dependent premiums, Markov-modulation, periodicity, change of measure techniques, phase-type distributions as a computational vehicle and the connection to other applied probability areas, like queueing theory. In this substantially updated and extended second version, new topics include stochastic control, fluctuation theory for Levy processes, Gerber-Shiu functions and dependence.

The book gives a comprehensive treatment of the classical and modern ruin probability theory. Some of the topics are Lundberg's inequality, the Cramér-Lundberg approximation, exact solutions, other approximations (e.g., for heavy-tailed claim size distributions), finite horizon ruin probabilities, extensions of the classical compound Poisson model to allow for reserve-dependent premiums, Markov-modulation, periodicity, change of measure techniques, phase-type distributions as a computational vehicle and the connection to other applied probability areas, like queueing theory. In this substantially updated and extended second version, new topics include stochastic control, fluctuation theory for Levy processes, Gerber-Shiu functions and dependence.

Change of Time and Change of Measure provides a comprehensive account of two topics that are of particular significance in both theoretical and applied stochastics: random change of time and change of probability law.Random change of time is key to understanding the nature of various stochastic processes, and gives rise to interesting mathematical results and insights of importance for the modeling and interpretation of empirically observed dynamic processes. Change of probability law is a technique for solving central questions in mathematical finance, and also has a considerable role in insurance mathematics, large deviation theory, and other fields.The book comprehensively collects and integrates results from a number of scattered sources in the literature and discusses the importance of the results relative to the existing literature, particularly with regard to mathematical finance. It is invaluable as a textbook for graduate-level courses and students or a handy reference for researchers and practitioners in financial mathematics and econometrics.

Valuation and hedging of financial derivatives are intrinsically linked concepts. Choosing appropriate hedging techniques depends on both the type of derivative and assumptions placed on the underlying stochastic process. This volume provides a systematic treatment of hedging in incomplete markets. Mean-variance hedging under the risk-neutral measure is applied in the framework of exponential Lévy processes and for derivatives written on defaultable assets. It is discussed how to complete markets based upon stochastic volatility models via trading in both stocks and vanilla options. Exponential utility indifference pricing is explored via a duality with entropy minimization. Backward stochastic differential equations offer an alternative approach and are moreover applied to study markets with trading constraints including basis risk. A range of optimal martingale measures are discussed including the entropy, Esscher and minimal martingale measures. Quasi-symmetry properties of stochastic processes are deployed in the semi-static hedging of barrier options.This book is directed towards both graduate students and researchers in mathematical finance, and will also provide an orientation to applied mathematicians, financial economists and practitioners wishing to explore recent progress in this field.

Interest rate modeling and the pricing of related derivatives remain subjects of increasing importance in financial mathematics and risk management. This book provides an accessible introduction to these topics by a step-by-step presentation of concepts with a focus on explicit calculations. Each chapter is accompanied with exercises and their complete solutions, making the book suitable for advanced undergraduate and graduate level students.This second edition retains the main features of the first edition while incorporating a complete revision of the text as well as additional exercises with their solutions, and a new introductory chapter on credit risk. The stochastic interest rate models considered range from standard short rate to forward rate models, with a treatment of the pricing of related derivatives such as caps and swaptions under forward measures. Some more advanced topics including the BGM model and an approach to its calibration are also covered.

Weather derivatives provide a tool for weather risk management, and the markets for these exotic financial products are gradually emerging in size and importance. This unique monograph presents a unified approach to the modeling and analysis of such weather derivatives, including financial contracts on temperature, wind and rain. Based on a deep statistical analysis of weather factors, sophisticated stochastic processes are introduced modeling the time and space dynamics. Applying ideas from the modern theory of mathematical finance, weather derivatives are priced, and questions of hedging analyzed. The treatise contains an in-depth analysis of typical weather contracts traded at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), including so-called CDD and HDD futures. The statistical analysis of weather variables is based on a large data set from Lithuania. The monograph includes the research done by the authors over the last decade on weather markets. Their work has gained considerable attention, and has been applied in many contexts.

Stochastic analysis on Riemannian manifolds without boundary has been well established. However, the analysis for reflecting diffusion processes and sub-elliptic diffusion processes is far from complete. This book contains recent advances in this direction along with new ideas and efficient arguments, which are crucial for further developments. Many results contained here (for example, the formula of the curvature using derivatives of the semigroup) are new among existing monographs even in the case without boundary.

This unique volume discusses some recent developments in the theory of spatial branching processes and superprocesses, with special emphasis on spines, Laws of Large Numbers, interactions and random media.Although this book is mainly written for mathematicians, the models discussed are relevant to certain models in population biology, and are thus hopefully interesting to the applied mathematician/biologist as well.The necessary background material in probability and analysis is provided in a comprehensive introductory chapter. Historical notes and several exercises are provided to complement each chapter.

Over the last two decades, risk-sensitive control has evolved into an innovative and successful framework for solving dynamically a wide range of practical investment management problems.This book shows how to use risk-sensitive investment management to manage portfolios against an investment benchmark, with constraints, and with assets and liabilities. It also addresses model implementation issues in parameter estimation and numerical methods. Most importantly, it shows how to integrate jump-diffusion processes which are crucial to model market crashes.With its emphasis on the interconnection between mathematical techniques and real-world problems, this book will be of interest to both academic researchers and money managers. Risk-sensitive investment management links stochastic control and portfolio management. Because of its distinct emphasis on integrating advanced theoretical concepts into practical dynamic investment management tools, this book stands out from the existing literature in fundamental ways. It goes beyond mainstream research in portfolio management in a traditional static setting. The theoretical developments build on contemporary research in stochastic control theory, but are informed throughout by the need to construct an effective and practical framework for dynamic portfolio management.This book fills a gap in the literature by connecting mathematical techniques with the real world of investment management. Readers seeking to solve key problems such as benchmarked asset management or asset and liability management will certainly find it useful.

Over the last two decades, risk-sensitive control has evolved into an innovative and successful framework for solving dynamically a wide range of practical investment management problems.This book shows how to use risk-sensitive investment management to manage portfolios against an investment benchmark, with constraints, and with assets and liabilities. It also addresses model implementation issues in parameter estimation and numerical methods. Most importantly, it shows how to integrate jump-diffusion processes which are crucial to model market crashes.With its emphasis on the interconnection between mathematical techniques and real-world problems, this book will be of interest to both academic researchers and money managers. Risk-sensitive investment management links stochastic control and portfolio management. Because of its distinct emphasis on integrating advanced theoretical concepts into practical dynamic investment management tools, this book stands out from the existing literature in fundamental ways. It goes beyond mainstream research in portfolio management in a traditional static setting. The theoretical developments build on contemporary research in stochastic control theory, but are informed throughout by the need to construct an effective and practical framework for dynamic portfolio management.This book fills a gap in the literature by connecting mathematical techniques with the real world of investment management. Readers seeking to solve key problems such as benchmarked asset management or asset and liability management will certainly find it useful.

Change of Time and Change of Measure provides a comprehensive account of two topics that are of particular significance in both theoretical and applied stochastics: random change of time and change of probability law.Random change of time is key to understanding the nature of various stochastic processes, and gives rise to interesting mathematical results and insights of importance for the modeling and interpretation of empirically observed dynamic processes. Change of probability law is a technique for solving central questions in mathematical finance, and also has a considerable role in insurance mathematics, large deviation theory, and other fields.The book comprehensively collects and integrates results from a number of scattered sources in the literature and discusses the importance of the results relative to the existing literature, particularly with regard to mathematical finance.In this Second Edition a Chapter 13 entitled 'A Wider View' has been added. This outlines some of the developments that have taken place in the area of Change of Time and Change of Measure since the publication of the First Edition. Most of these developments have their root in the study of the Statistical Theory of Turbulence rather than in Financial Mathematics and Econometrics, and they form part of the new research area termed 'Ambit Stochastics'.

This book provides a unified exposition of local-stereological methods developed within the last 15 years. The object of local stereology is to draw inference about quantitative parameters of spatial structures which can be regarded as neighbourhoods of points, called reference points. The model example is a biological cell which can be regarded as a neighbourhood of its nucleus. In local stereology, information from sections through the reference point is used. Only very weak assumptions are needed for the structure under study. For instance, specific cell shape assumptions are not necessary.In order to reach a broader audience, the book has been written not only for specialists in stereology, integral geometry and geometric measure theory. In particular, Chapter 1 is an elementary introduction to stereology and the book contains about 75 illustrations. The theory of local steroelogy involves, however, advanced mathematical tools, which constitute an important part of the book.Local-stereological methods are now in world-wide use in the microscopical study of biological tissue, and this invaluable book also contains a description of how the local methods are used in practice.

This book communicates some contemporary mathematical and statistical developments in river basin hydrology as they pertain to space-time rainfall, spatial landform and network structures and their role in understanding averages and fluctuations in the hydrologic water balance of river basins. While many of the mathematical and statistical nations have quite classical mathematical roots, the river basin data structure has led to many variations on the problems and theory.