Abstract

Abstract ‘Risk Aversion, background Risk, and the Pricing Kernel’ looks in more detail at utility functions and their effect on the shape of the pricing kernel. The authors discuss the meaning of risk aversion and, in particular, ‘relative risk aversion’ and show that if relative risk aversion is constant at different levels of wealth, then the pricing kernel exhibits constant elasticity. They then show that the introduction of ‘background risk’, that is, non-hedgeable risks, causes the pricing kernel to exhibit declining elasticity. This effect on the pricing kernel is particularly significant for the pricing of options.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.