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Bond immunization is an important topic in portfolio management. This paper presents a scenario based optimization framework for solving a cash flow matching problem. In this problem, the time horizon of the cash flow generated by the liability is longer than the maturities of the available bonds, and the interest rates are uncertain. Bond purchase decisions are made each period to generate cash flows to cover the obligations due in the future. We use buffered probability of exceedance (bPOE) and conditional value-at-risk (CVaR) to control for the risk of shortfalls. The initial cost of the hedging portfolio of bonds is minimized and optimal positions in bonds are calculated at all time periods. We also study the methodology when solving the optimization problem to minimize bPOE instead of CVaR, which has important practical relevance. The methodology we present in this paper is quite general and can be extended to other financial optimization problems. We use portfolio safeguard optimization package to solve the optimization problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims at examining the term structure of interest rates and European-type interest rate option prices in a partially observable economy. It extends the existing literature on incomplete information by developing a one-factor model which is consistent with the initial yield curve and by providing closed-form solutions for discount bonds and different kinds of options. The model of this paper encompasses Hull and White’s (1990). Moreover, through a numerical example, these two models are compared and the impact of incomplete information on option prices is analysed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Typically, implied volatilities for defaultable instruments are not available in the financial market since quotations related to options on defaultable bonds or on credit default swaps are usually not quoted by brokers. However, an estimate of their volatilities is needed for pricing purposes. In this paper, we provide a methodology to infer market implied volatilities for defaultable bonds using equity implied volatilities and CDS spreads quoted by the market in relation to a specific issuer. The theoretical framework we propose is based on the Merton's model under stochastic interest rates where the short rate is assumed to follow the Hull-White model. A numerical analysis is provided to illustrate the calibration process to be performed starting from financial market data. The market implied volatility calibrated according to the proposed methodology could be used to evaluate options where the underlying is a risky bond, i.e. callable bond or other types of credit-risk sensitive financial instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]