The Zero-Coupon Inflation Indexed Swap (ZCIIS) is a derivative contract through which inflation expectations on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) are actively traded in the US. In this thesis we consider different ways to use the information from the ZCIIS market for modeling forward inflation in a risk-neutral framework. We choose to implement a model using a Monte Carlo methodology that simulates the evolution of the forward CPI ratio. We prefer this approach for its flexibility, ease of implementation, instant calibration to the ZCIIS market and intrinsic convexity adjustment on the inflation-linked payoff. Subsequently, we present a series of results we obtain when modeling a chain of consecutive CPI ratios for simulating the evolution of spot inflation. Furthermore, we use this for pricing inflation caplets and floorlets. Finally, we use the intuition gained from this exercise to analyse our results for pricing inflation caps.

Starting from basic financial mathematics, we cover the mathematics of pricing swaptions, options on interest rate swaps. We then continue to the topic of obtaining an approximately pure volatility exposure. This exposure to volatility, which in practice enables us to trade volatility according to our perceptions of the market, is obtained by buying or selling swaptions and appropriate amounts of the underlying interest rate swap contract. Taking offsetting positions in the underlying contract is called hedging and is covered in depth. We note that hedging can primarily be done in two ways, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each of them. After deriving the value formulas for such a swaption strategy aimed at isolating volatility exposure we end with a discussion on the transition from theory to practice.We find that this way of trading volatility is conceptually simple, but that pre-trade profitability analysis is difficult due to the sometimes poor availability of the sophisticated data needed to simulate such a swaption strategy. Despite the possible limitations in the data necessary to translate this theory into an experimental setup, this thesis serves as a good basis for further research on the profitability of a volatility trading strategy using interest rate swaptions.

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This paper studies the innovation and strategy used by Tawan¡¦s small and medium size of hospitals and clinics to break the revenue control by national health insurance. We found that to increase the competitive advantage and to compete with the non-for-profit hospital conglomerates, many small and medium size of hospitals and clinics either form alliance with other clinics or conduct chain operation to enjoy the economy of scale and economy of scope. Through case studies, this paper found the many characteristics for a successful healthcare chain operation to succeed in Taiwan. We found that the chain operation needs to have enough resource to expand on her own or need to have enough incentive for the franchisee to join the franchise organization. One effective attraction provided by the franchise organization is to have an effective training platform for the franchisees to grow their business. Another key factor for a healthcare franchise organization to succeed is the ability to do vertical integration within the same chain operation. Conducting asset swap with franchisee¡¦ hospital or clinic and let franchisees own part of the franchise organization¡¦s stock are effective strategy to attract independent hospital or clinic to join the franchise organization. Therefore, a successful healthcare franchise organization will almost want to pursue a stock listing in Taiwan or abroad. In particular, we study the business models for Missioncare medical group in Taoyuan and Darwin healthcare group in Taichung and Dr. Wells group in Taipei. Both Darwin and Dr. Well operate successful chain operation for dental clinics in Taiwan. We compare and contrast their business models and through the financial analysis, we summarize the pros and cons for each business model. Our key contribution for this paper is to identify the key factors for a Medical chain operation to succeed in Taiwan. Once the profitable business model is established, new hospitals or clinics could be set up quickly based on existing models and expenditures could be minimized through joint procurement and resource sharing.

Diss.--Copenhagen Business School, 2007. / Zsfassung in dän. Sprache.

Syfte: Syftet är att undersöka svenska storföretags användande av derivatet ränteswap (svensk benämning för interest rate swap) för år 2012 och 2013 samt att undersöka skillnader utifrån tidigare funna bakomliggande faktorer mellan företag som använder olika typer av ränteswaps och företag som inte använder ränteswap. Metod: Studien tillämpade en empirisk totalundersökning gällande de icke-finansiella företagen noterade på Nasdaq OMX Stockholm Large Cap för slutet på år 2012 respektive år 2013. Utifrån företagens årsredovisningar kategoriserades företagen i fyra grupper baserat på företagets användande av ränteswap. Fem tidigare funna bakomliggande faktorer för användandet av ränteswap sammanställdes genomsnittligt per kategori och jämfördes därefter kategorierna emellan. Resultat: Av de största noterade börsföretagen använde 29 av 40 stycken företag ränteswap år 2012 och 29 av 42 företag år 2013. Företag som använde rörlig ränteswap var signifikant större än de företag som inte använde ränteswap för år 2012 och 2013. År 2013 hade de företag som använde fast och båda typer av ränteswaps högre andel kortfristiga lån i jämförelse med de företag som inte använde ränteswap. Uppmätta skillnader kategorierna emellan för de resterande tre undersökta faktorerna; andel långfristiga lån, löptiden på företagens lån liksom företagens förväntade obeståndskostnader var inte signifikanta vilket innebar att de uppmätta skillnaderna inte kunde hänföras till svenska storföretag. Slutsatser: Över två tredjedelar av de undersökta företagen använde ränteswap. Storleken för företag som använde ränteswap var en urskiljande faktor i jämförelse med företag som inte använde ränteswap. För svenska storföretags andel kortfristiga lån för ett av de undersökta åren talar det mesta för att företag som använde ränteswap hade högre andel kortfristiga lån än företag som inte använde ränteswap. Skillnader i andel långfristiga lån, löptid på lån liksom förväntade obeståndskostnader kategorierna emellan kunde inte hänföras till svenska storföretag och därmed inte ses som urskiljande faktorer för användande av ränteswap. / Purpose: The purpose is to investigate the largest Swedish companies utilization of interest rate swap (afterwards referred to as IRS), as well as variations in the underlying factors between companies who use IRS and companies who do not. Methodology: The study applied an empirical investigation about the non-financial companies noted on Nasdaq OMX Stockholm Large Cap for the end of year 2012 and year 2013. By their annual reports, companies where divided into four categories based on their usage of IRS. Five earlier factors for the use of IRS were compiled per category and were then compared between the categories. Findings: 29 out of the 40 largest listed companies used IRS 2012, and 29 out of 42 companies 2013. The companies who used variable IRS were significantly larger than the ones who didn't use IRS. Companies who used fixed, and both types of IRS year 2013, had a higher proportion of short-term loans compared to the companies which didn't use IRS. Measured differences between the categories for the remaining three factors; proportion of long-term loans, duration on the companies loans as well as their expected distress costs was not significant which implicates that the measured differences could not be assigned to Swedish corporations. Conclusions: Over two thirds of the investigated companies used IRS. The size of the companies that used IRS was a factor which differed between companies who used IRS and the companies that didn't. The proportion of short-term loans showed a significant disparity for one of the investigated years indicated that the companies who used IRS have a larger proportion of short-term loans than the ones who don't. Differences in the proportion of long-term loans, duration on loans and expected distress costs between the categories could not be assigned to Swedish corporations.

The Zero-Coupon Inflation Indexed Swap (ZCIIS) is a derivative contract through which inflation expectations on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) are actively traded in the US. In this thesis we consider different ways to use the information from the ZCIIS market for modeling forward inflation in a risk-neutral framework. We choose to implement a model using a Monte Carlo methodology that simulates the evolution of the forward CPI ratio. We prefer this approach for its flexibility, ease of implementation, instant calibration to the ZCIIS market and intrinsic convexity adjustment on the inflation-linked payoff. Subsequently, we present a series of results we obtain when modeling a chain of consecutive CPI ratios for simulating the evolution of spot inflation. Furthermore, we use this for pricing inflation caplets and floorlets. Finally, we use the intuition gained from this exercise to analyse our results for pricing inflation caps.

This paper seeks to investigate the reaction of credit ratings and credit markets in response to accounting restatements. Accounting restatements can often be perceived as a precursor to fraudulent activity, which could lead to a more negative credit rating, or a heightened credit default swap (CDS) price. CDS prove to be a useful measuring tool as they adjust to changes relatively quickly; much more quickly than the assessment of a credit rating agency. My results suggest that restatements do indeed have an effect on credit rating. It does, however take longer for credit ratings to be updated after the restatement, but CDS quotes move faster and are just as, if not more accurate. I also find that credit default swaps do not anticipate restatements, showing that while the credit markets are beating the rating agencies, they do not appear to be beating the accountants.

Humboldt-Univ., Diss--Berlin, 2007.

Zugl.: Linz, Univ., Diss., 2007