p1.T4 Measures of Financial Risk (chpt 2 Dowd)

skoh

Member
For question 30.4, why do we have to multiply

50% × 0 + 50% × E[loss|loss event]

I mean why should 50% be the average of the 10% tail?
 

David Harper CFA FRM

David Harper CFA FRM
Subscriber
Hi skoh,

Source is here @ http://forum.bionicturtle.com/threads/p1-t4-30-expected-shortfall-es.5700/ (I will copy my answer to here as well)

The 90% expected shortfall is the (conditional) average of the 10% tail. In this case, from 90% to 95% is still part of the "no loss" where loss = 0. In the final 5%, we have the three outcomes. From the perspective of the parent (overall) distribution, the worst 10% tail includes:
  • 5% prob of loss = 0
  • 20%*5% = 1% prob of $10 million loss
  • 50%*5% = 2.5% prob of $18 million loss, and
  • 30*5% = 1.5% prob of $25 million loss
50% × 0 + 50% × E[loss|loss event] is the same as the conditional average of this 10% loss tail, which is just to take the weighted average:
5%/10%*0 + 1%/10%*$10 + 2.5%/10%*$18 + 1.5%/10%+$25 = 50%*0 + 10%*$10 + 25%*$18 + 15%+$25 = 9.25 million
 

[email protected]

New Member
Subscriber
for 29.2 question,
One of the options says that
If the return distribution is normal, then VAR is sub-additive.

So VAR is sub-additive for normal distributions?

Regards,
Aman
 

[email protected]

New Member
Subscriber
Hi David,
This is Regarding
28.1. A portfolio consists of two zero-coupon bonds, each with a current value of $50.0 million; the first maturing in 3.0 years the second maturing in 7.0 years. The yield curve is flat, with all yields at 6.0%. The daily volatility is 1.0% and assumed to be i.i.d. normally distributed. Using only duration's linear approximation (not convexity) and assuming annual compounding, which is nearest to the portfolio's 99.0% 10-day value at risk (VaR)?
a) $11.6 million
b) $27.5 million
c) $34.7 million
d) $36.8 million
Answers:
28.1. C. $34.7 million
Portfolio duration = [$50*3.0/(1+6%) + $50*7.0/(1+6%)]/100 = 4.71698 years
10-day VaR ($) = $100*1%*SQRT(10/1)*2.33*4.71698 = $34.755 (or $34.7007 if using exact deviate).

I didnt get the solution here. Could you please explain which formula is it used(duration,standard deviation and var relationship)

Many Thanks,
Aman
 

David Harper CFA FRM

David Harper CFA FRM
Subscriber
Hi Aman,

I happened to recently expand on 28.1 at the source here: http://forum.bionicturtle.com/threads/p1-t4-28-value-at-risk-var.5669/#post-20652
The Macaulay duration of the portfolio is 5.0 years, but we need the modified duration of 5.0(1+6%) = 4.17 years for the linear sensitivity used in VaR.
This tells use that the price changes approximately 4.17 basis point for each basis point change in the yield (or 4.17% for each 1.0%, if you like).

The daily yield volatility is 1.0%, so under i.i.d., the 10-day volatility = SQRT(10)*1.0% = 3.162%,
but for VaR we want the worst expected yield change with 99% confidence, so as usual, we scale volatility by the deviate: 99% 10-day yield VaR = 1.0%*SQRT(1)*2.33 = 7.368% is the worst expected 10-day yield shock; i.e., 10-day VaR(dy).

How much will that impact the portfolio's price? As yield change * duration ~= % price change, we estimate that a 7.368 yield shock will change the price by approximately 7.368% * 4.17 years = 34.755%, which for a $100 value portfolio is $34.75 million.

This is highly testable, must know this, please see how each step explains the final product:
  • 10-day VaR ($) = $100*1%*SQRT(10/1)*2.33*4.71698; i.e.,
  • 10-day VaR ($) = Value * daily volatility * scale volatility to 10-days * scale or stress the volatility to its 99% worst outcome * multiply by modified duration to translate this yield shock into an estimated price shock in %
 
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