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We investigate the implications of technological innovation and non-diversifiable risk on entrepreneurial entry and optimal portfolio choice. In a real options model where two risk-averse individuals strategically decide on technology adoption, we show that the impact of non-diversifiable risk on the option timing decision is ambiguous and depends on the frequency of technological change. Compared to the complete market case, non-diversifiable risk may accelerate or delay the optimal investment decision. Moreover, strategic considerations regarding technology adoption play a central role for the entrepreneur’s optimal portfolio choice in the presence of non-diversifiable risk.

We propose a novel time-changed Levy LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) market model for jointly pricing of caps and swaptions. The time changes are split into three components. The first component allows matching the volatility term structure, the second generates stochastic volatility, and the third accommodates for stochastic skew. The parsimonious model is flexible enough to accommodate the behavior of both caps and swaptions. For the joint estimation we use a comprehensive data set spanning the financial crisis of 2007–2010. We find that, even during this period, neither market is as fragmented as suggested by the previous literature.

We propose a novel time-changed L evy LIBOR market model for the joint pricing of caps and swaptions. The time changes are split into three components. The first component allows us to match the volatility term structure, the second generates stochastic volatility, and the third one accommodates for stochastic skew. The model is parsimonious, yet flexible enough to accommodate the behavior of both caps and swaptions well. For the joint estimation we use a comprehensive dataset spanning the recent financial crisis. We fi nd that, even during the recent fi nancial crisis, neither market is as fragmented as suggested by the previous literature.

We argue that incentives to take equity risk ("equity incentives") only partially capture incentives to take asset risk ("asset incentives"). This is because leverage, while central to the theory of risk-shifting, is not explicitly considered by equity incentives. Employing measures of asset incentives that account for leverage, we find that asset risk-taking incentives can be large compared to incentives to increase firm value. Moreover, stock holdings can induce substantial risk-taking incentives, qualifying common beliefs regarding the central role of stock options. Finally, only asset incentives explain asset risk-taking of U.S. financial institutions before the 2007/08 crisis.

In this paper we propose a new approach to modelling and estimating yield curves across multiple currency areas. The idea is that one area acts as the 'cardinal' economy by affecting the yield curve evolution in the other markets. To some extent, the yield curve factors of the 'cardinal economy' serve the role as global yield curve factors. The adopted methodology is inspired by the 3-factor Nelson-Siegel yield curve model where a particular loading structure is identified for the 'non-cardinal' currency areas. Using US, German and Japanese data the model is shown to fit well both the cross-sectional and time-series dynamics of yields.