Probability Theory In Finance

The use of the Black-Scholes model and formula is pervasive in financial markets. There are very few undergraduate textbooks available on the subject and, until now, almost none written by mathematicians. Based on a course given by the author, the goal of

Provides a foundation for probability based on game theory rather than measure theory. A strong philosophical approach with practical applications. Presents in-depth coverage of classical probability theory as well as new theory.

This book provides a basic grounding in the use of probability to model random financial phenomena of uncertainty, and is targeted at an advanced undergraduate and graduate level. It should appeal to finance students looking for a firm theoretical guide to the deep end of derivatives and investments. Bankers and finance professionals in the fields of investments, derivatives, and risk management should also find the book useful in bringing probability and finance together. The book contains applications of both discrete time theory and continuous time mathematics, and is extensive in scope. Distribution theory, conditional probability, and conditional expectation are covered comprehensively, and applications to modeling state space securities under market equilibrium are made. Martingale is studied, leading to consideration of equivalent martingale measures, fundamental theorems of asset pricing, change of numeraire and discounting, risk-adjusted and forward-neutral measures, minimal and maximal prices of contingent claims, Markovian models, and the existence of martingale measures preserving the Markov property. Discrete stochastic calculus and multiperiod models leading to no-arbitrage pricing of contingent claims are also to be found in this book, as well as the theory of Markov Chains and appropriate applications in credit modeling. Measure-theoretic probability, moments, characteristic functions, inequalities, and central limit theorems are examined. The theory of risk aversion and utility, and ideas of risk premia are considered. Other application topics include optimal consumption and investment problems and interest rate theory.

Game-theoretic probability and finance come of age Glenn Shafer and Vladimir Vovk’s Probability and Finance, published in 2001, showed that perfect-information games can be used to define mathematical probability. Based on fifteen years of further research, Game-Theoretic Foundations for Probability and Finance presents a mature view of the foundational role game theory can play. Its account of probability theory opens the way to new methods of prediction and testing and makes many statistical methods more transparent and widely usable. Its contributions to finance theory include purely game-theoretic accounts of Ito’s stochastic calculus, the capital asset pricing model, the equity premium, and portfolio theory. Game-Theoretic Foundations for Probability and Finance is a book of research. It is also a teaching resource. Each chapter is supplemented with carefully designed exercises and notes relating the new theory to its historical context. Praise from early readers “Ever since Kolmogorov's Grundbegriffe, the standard mathematical treatment of probability theory has been measure-theoretic. In this ground-breaking work, Shafer and Vovk give a game-theoretic foundation instead. While being just as rigorous, the game-theoretic approach allows for vast and useful generalizations of classical measure-theoretic results, while also giving rise to new, radical ideas for prediction, statistics and mathematical finance without stochastic assumptions. The authors set out their theory in great detail, resulting in what is definitely one of the most important books on the foundations of probability to have appeared in the last few decades.” – Peter Grünwald, CWI and University of Leiden “Shafer and Vovk have thoroughly re-written their 2001 book on the game-theoretic foundations for probability and for finance. They have included an account of the tremendous growth that has occurred since, in the game-theoretic and pathwise approaches to stochastic analysis and in their applications to continuous-time finance. This new book will undoubtedly spur a better understanding of the foundations of these very important fields, and we should all be grateful to its authors.” – Ioannis Karatzas, Columbia University

This self-contained book presents the theory underlying the valuation of derivative financial instruments, which is becoming a standard part of the professional toolbox in the financial industry. It provides great insight into the underlying economic ideas in a very readable form, putting the reader in an excellent position to proceed to the more general continuous-time theory.

An introduction to the mathematical theory and financial models developed and used on Wall Street Providing both a theoretical and practical approach to the underlying mathematical theory behind financial models, Measure, Probability, and Mathematical Finance: A Problem-Oriented Approach presents important concepts and results in measure theory, probability theory, stochastic processes, and stochastic calculus. Measure theory is indispensable to the rigorous development of probability theory and is also necessary to properly address martingale measures, the change of numeraire theory, and LIBOR market models. In addition, probability theory is presented to facilitate the development of stochastic processes, including martingales and Brownian motions, while stochastic processes and stochastic calculus are discussed to model asset prices and develop derivative pricing models. The authors promote a problem-solving approach when applying mathematics in real-world situations, and readers are encouraged to address theorems and problems with mathematical rigor. In addition, Measure, Probability, and Mathematical Finance features: A comprehensive list of concepts and theorems from measure theory, probability theory, stochastic processes, and stochastic calculus Over 500 problems with hints and select solutions to reinforce basic concepts and important theorems Classic derivative pricing models in mathematical finance that have been developed and published since the seminal work of Black and Scholes Measure, Probability, and Mathematical Finance: A Problem-Oriented Approach is an ideal textbook for introductory quantitative courses in business, economics, and mathematical finance at the upper-undergraduate and graduate levels. The book is also a useful reference for readers who need to build their mathematical skills in order to better understand the mathematical theory of derivative pricing models.

Statistics for the Trading Floor: Data Science for Investing is the best book on statistics for investing. Written for professionals by a professional trader and hedge fund manager, the book gives a thorough grounding in quantitative methods used by investing professionals.

This book provides an elementary introduction to probability theory and its applications. The emphasis is on essential probabilistic reasoning, amply motivated, explained and illustrated with a large number of carefully selected samples. The fourth edition adds material related to mathematical finance, as well as expansions on stable laws and martingales.