Arithmetic Asian options are difficult to price and hedge, since, at the present, no closed-form analytical solution exists to price them. This difficulty, moreover, has led to the development of various methods and models used to price these instruments. The purpose of this thesis is two-fold. First, we present an overview of the literature. Secondly, we develop a pseudo-analytical method proposed by Geman and Yor and present an accurate and relatively quick algorithm which can be used to price European-style arithmetic Asian options and their hedge parameters. / Master of Science

This thesis consists of five papers. In the first two papers we consider a general approach to cash flow valuation, focusing on dynamic properties of the value of a stream of cash flows. The third paper discusses immunization theory, where old results are shown to hold in general deterministic models, but often fail to be true in stochastic models. In the fourth paper we comment on the connection between arbitrage opportunities and an immunized position. Finally, in the last paper we study coherent and convex measure of risk applied to portfolio optimization and insurance.

<p>This thesis consists of five papers. In the first two papers we consider a general approach to cash flow valuation, focusing on dynamic properties of the value of a stream of cash flows. The third paper discusses immunization theory, where old results are shown to hold in general deterministic models, but often fail to be true in stochastic models. In the fourth paper we comment on the connection between arbitrage opportunities and an immunized position. Finally, in the last paper we study coherent and convex measure of risk applied to portfolio optimization and insurance.</p>

In this thesis, we present two different approaches for the stochastic volatility and stochastic interest rate model with jump and analyze the performance of four alternative models. In the first approach, suggested by Scott, the closed form solution for prices on European call stock options are developed by deriving characteristic functions with the help of martingale methods. Here, we study the asset price process and give in detail the derivation of the European call option price process. The second approach, suggested by Bashki-Cao-Chen, describes the closed form solution of European call option by deriving the partial integro-differential equation. In this one we g ive the derivations of both asset price dynamics and the European call option price process. Finally, in the application part of the thesis, we examine the performance of four alternative models using General Electric Stock Option Data. These models are constructed by using the theoretical results of the second approach.