Numerix CrossAsset, Version 10.0 Features Enhanced VIX Coverage to More Accurately Model and Price Volatility Linked Derivatives Products

New York, NY – May 2, 2012 – Numerix (www.numerix.com), the leading provider of cross-asset analytics for derivatives valuations and risk management, released in its latest version of Numerix CrossAsset innovative model coverage for VIX futures instruments to more accurately price volatility linked derivatives.The growth of volatility as both an asset class and as a hedge has grown tremendously over the past several years, with trading volume of VIX futures setting a new annual record in 2011 with over 12 million contracts traded.[1]

The VIX was first introduced in 1993 to track the implied volatility of certain stock market indices. In the years following, the methodology of calculating the VIX evolved to more accurately reflect how a financial practitioner could hedge such an index. In 2004, futures on the VIX became tradable and two years later VIX options were introduced, giving-rise to volatility as a full-fledged asset class.

Today, there are VIX-like indices measuring the implied volatility of various equity and commodity indices; and many exchange-traded instruments written on the VIX.  Many diverse financial products also reference the VIX, including complex variable annuities that are widespread in the Insurance sector. Because of ongoing market volatility, it’s crucial that the models used to value these trades apply a complex stochastic process that takes in to account the price and volatility dynamics implied by the VIX.

Going Beyond the VIX – Solving the Challenges of Modeling Volatility

“With the possibility of actually observing  implied ‘vol of vol’ due to options trading on the VIX, stochastic volatility models of stock market indices have much more stringent bounds on their behavior, helping to resolve the  limitations of previous models used,” said Tom Davis, Vice President of the Client Solutions Group at Numerix. “Since the ‘vol of vol’ smile can actually be observed, sophisticated stochastic volatility models are essential in order to reproduce this type of dynamic and capture the subtleties of the VIX index.”

With CrossAsset 10.0, Numerix has further developed its VIX coverage to better model equity indices and their stochastic volatility dynamics. The Heston and Bates Equity and Commodity Models can now be calibrated to VIX futures and options taking in to account the volatility of volatility term structure for pricing and risk. With CrossAsset, clients will benefit from more accurate prices, resulting in better hedges.

“Volatility has become a full-blown asset class and managing its complexities has remained a challenge for customers over the past several years – not only from a hedging perspective but also from a modeling point-of-view,” said Steve O’Hanlon, President & COO of Numerix. “With themost extensive collection of models and methods, we’re proud of our industry leading position and the continuous innovation we bring to the marketplace. By incorporating further VIX coverage into our hybrid model and structuring framework, clients now have a broader range of capabilities for pricing and valuation services.” 


[1] CBOE Futures Exchange, 2011 Trading Volume at CBOE Futures Exchange Sets New Annual Record http://ir.cboe.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=636774 (January 3, 2012)

All Numerix functions are available via Microsoft ® Excel® as an add-in, or can be integrated into proprietary or third-party systems using Numerix CrossAsset SDK in C#, C++, or Java. For complete details of all new functionality, please contact your nearest Numerix sales office. Numerix CrossAsset is available immediately.

About Numerix

Numerix is the award winning, leading independent analytics institution providing cross-asset solutions for structuring, pre-trade price discovery, trade capture, valuation and portfolio management of derivatives and structured products. Since its inception in 1996, over 700 clients and 75 partners across more than 25 countries have come to rely on Numerix analytics for speed and accuracy in valuing and managing the most sophisticated financial instruments. With offices in New York, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Milan, Stockholm, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, South Korea, India and Australia, Numerix brings together unparalleled expertise across all asset classes and engineering disciplines. For more information please visit www.numerix.com.

Numerix Media Contact
Emily Ahearn
Director of Public Relations
Phone 646 898 1294
Mobile 646 373 9654
Email eahearn@numerix.com

 

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