On the geometry of interest rate models

  • Date: 10/05/2007
Speaker(s):

Thomas Bjork (Stockholm School of Economics)

Location: 

University of British Columbia

Topic: 

The purpose of this talk is to give an overview of some recent work
concerning the structural and geometric properties of the evolution of
the forward rate curve in an arbitrage free bond market. The main
problems to be discussed are as follows.

1. When is a given forward rate model consistent with a given family of forward rate curves?
2. When can the inherently infinite dimensional forward rate process be
realized by means of a finite dimensional state space model?

We consider interest rate models of Heath-Jarrow-Morton type, where the
forward rates are driven by a multidimensional Wiener process, and
where the volatility is allowed to be an arbitrary smooth functional of
the present forward rate curve. Within this framework we give necessary
and sufficient conditions for consistency, as well as for the existence
of a finite dimensional realization, in terms of the forward rate
volatilities. We also study stochastic volatility HJM models, and we
provide a systematic method for the construction of concrete
realizations.

Other Information: 

UBC Math Dept. Colloquium 2007

Sponsor: 

pimsubc