Estimation theory has shown, due to the limited estimation window available for real asset data, the sample based Markowitz mean-variance approach produces unreliable weights which fluctuate substantially over time. This paper proposes an alternate approach to portfolio optimization, being the...

This paper derives a unified framework for portfolio optimization, derivative pricing, financial modeling and risk measurement. It is based on the natural assumption that investors prefer more or less, in the sense that the higher drift is preferred. Each such investor is shown to hold an...

This paper proposes a consistent benchmark approach to price weather derivatives. The growth optimal portfolio to price weather derivatives. The growth optimal portfolio is used as numeraire such that all benchmarked fair price processes are martingales. No measure transformation is needed for...

This paper considers a class of incomplete financial market models with security price processes that exhibit intensity based jumps. The benchmark or numeraire is chosen to be the growth optimal portfolio. Portfolio values, when expressed in units of the benchmark, are local martingales. In...

This paper proposes an approach to the intraday analysis of diversified world stock accumulation indices. The growth optimal portfolio (GOP) is used as reference unit or benchmark in a continuous financial market model. Diversified portfolios, covering the world stock market, are constructed and...

This paper introduces a benchmark approach for the modelling of continuous, complete financial markets when an equivalent risk neutral measure does not exist. This approach is based on the unique characterization of a benchmark portfolio, the growth optimal portfolio, which is obtained via a...

The aim of this paper is to document some empirical facts related to log-returns of diversified world stock indices when these are denominated in different currencies. Motivated by earlier results, we have obtained the estimated distribution of log-returns for a range of world stock indices over...

This paper describes a two-factor model for a diversifed index that attempts to explain both the leverage effect and the implied volatility skews that are characteristic of index options. Our formulation is based on an analysis of the growth optimal portfolio and a corresponding random market...

This paper considers diversified portfolios in a benchmark framework. A new limit theorem for the approximation of the benchmark, which is the growth optimal portfolio, is obtained. In a diverse market it is shown that there exist approximations for the benchmark that are independent of model...

The paper discusses various roles that the growth optimal portfolio (GOP) plays in finance. For the case of a continuous market we showhow the GOP can be interpreted as a fundamental building block in financial market modeling, portfolio optimization, contingent claim pricing and risk...