Nonlinear Pricing: Theory and Applications Hardcover - 1999 - 1st Edition

From the rear cover

In a totally new way of looking at financial economics, Nonlinear Pricing abandons the traditional assumptions of equilibrium in economics and randomness in a time-series. These shortcomings are becoming increasingly awkward given a superior technological infrastructure and advances in mathematics and the sciences. Despite these advances and their empirical proof, much remains confused or muddled. In this groundbreaking new book, leading hedge fund manager Christopher T. May explores the nature and role of nonlinearity, an inherent part of everyday reality, and illustrates a profit-making strategy. One of the many striking applications of nonlinear technology in recent years, nonlinear pricing uses cutting-edge technology to identify and exploit patterns hidden within the seemingly helter-skelter rise and fall of daily stock prices. Nonlinear Pricing sheds much needed light on the principles behind this innovative view of reality and provides clear explanations of how it is employed to predict-at least partially-the unpredictable. Beginning with an incisive introduction to the topic, May presents the roots of nonlinearity through the examples of calendrics, geometry, and music. He then illustrates the application and integration of various nonlinear technologies, including genetic algorithms, fuzzy logic, fractal imaging, and nonlinear dynamics, to such essentials as trading strategies, asset allocation, risk management, and derivative pricing and hedging. Along with practical methodologies and a wealth of real-world examples, this comprehensive resource contains a glossary of terms, a bibliography, and in-depth information on:
* Fractal analysis-power law distributions, fractional Brownian motion, and their relationships
* The Hurst Exponent-the KAOS screen and its practical implementation
* Resonance-time domain versus frequency domain, Brownian motion, and the Gaussian distribution
* Advanced concepts-Soros's Reflexivity, nonequilibrium economics, kernel of theoretical nonlinear pricing, May's Law, resolution and resonance
Written by one of the few practitioners using this breakthrough methodology to trade the markets successfully, Nonlinear Pricing fills an important niche in investment literature. It is a must read for anyone seeking to understand-and capitalize on-twenty-first century financial economics.

From the jacket flap

In a totally new way of looking at financial economics, Nonlinear Pricing abandons the traditional assumptions of equilibrium in economics and randomness in a time-series. These shortcomings are becoming increasingly awkward given a superior technological infrastructure and advances in mathematics and the sciences. Despite these advances and their empirical proof, much remains confused or muddled. In this groundbreaking new book, leading hedge fund manager Christopher T. May explores the nature and role of nonlinearity, an inherent part of everyday reality, and illustrates a profit-making strategy. One of the many striking applications of nonlinear technology in recent years, nonlinear pricing uses cutting-edge technology to identify and exploit patterns hidden within the seemingly helter-skelter rise and fall of daily stock prices. Nonlinear Pricing sheds much needed light on the principles behind this innovative view of reality and provides clear explanations of how it is employed to predict-at least partially-the unpredictable. Beginning with an incisive introduction to the topic, May presents the roots of nonlinearity through the examples of calendrics, geometry, and music. He then illustrates the application and integration of various nonlinear technologies, including genetic algorithms, fuzzy logic, fractal imaging, and nonlinear dynamics, to such essentials as trading strategies, asset allocation, risk management, and derivative pricing and hedging. Along with practical methodologies and a wealth of real-world examples, this comprehensive resource contains a glossary of terms, a bibliography, and in-depth information on:
* Fractal analysis-power law distributions, fractional Brownian motion, and their relationships
* The Hurst Exponent-the KAOS screen and its practical implementation
* Resonance-time domain versus frequency domain, Brownian motion, and the Gaussian distribution
* Advanced concepts-Soros's Reflexivity, nonequilibrium economics, kernel of theoretical nonlinear pricing, May's Law, resolution and resonance
Written by one of the few practitioners using this breakthrough methodology to trade the markets successfully, Nonlinear Pricing fills an important niche in investment literature. It is a must read for anyone seeking to understand-and capitalize on-twenty-first century financial economics.