Dynamic Programming for Designing and Valuing Two-Dimensional Financial Derivatives

Abstract

We use dynamic programming, finite elements, and parallel computing to design and evaluate two-dimensional financial derivatives. Our dynamic program is flexible, as it divides the evaluation process into two components: one related to the dynamics of the underlying process and the other to the characteristics of the financial derivative. It is efficient as it uses local polynomials at each step of the backward recursion to approximate the option value function, while it assumes only a numerical (but not a statistical) error and a state (but not a time) discretization. Parallel computing is used to speed up the model resolution and enhance its overall efficiency. To support our construction, we evaluate American options, which are subject to market risk, and exchangeable bonds, which are subject to default risk.