This paper introduces a class of Schur-constant survival models, of dimension n, for arithmetic non-negative random variables. Such a model is defined through a univariate survival function that is shown to be n-monotone. Two general representations are obtained, by conditioning on the sum of the n variables or through a doubly mixed multinomial distribution. Several other properties including correlation measures are derived. Three processes in insurance theory are discussed for which the claim interarrival periods form a Schur-constant model.
This is a joint work with A. Castaner, M.M. Claramunt and S. Loisel.

Keywords: Schur-constant property; survival function; multiple monotonicity; mixed multinomial distribution; insurance risk theory[-]

This talk will give an overview on the usage of piecewise deterministic Markov processes for risk theoretic modeling and the application of QMC integration in this framework. This class of processes includes several common risk models and their generalizations. In this field, many objects of interest such as ruin probabilities, penalty functions or expected dividend payments are typically studied by means of associated integro-differential equations. Unfortunately, only particular parameter constellations allow for closed form solutions such that in general one needs to rely on numerical methods. Instead of studying these associated integro-differential equations, we adapt the problem in a way that allows us to apply deterministic numerical integration algorithms such as QMC rules.[-]

This talk will give an overview on the usage of piecewise deterministic Markov processes for risk theoretic modeling and the application of QMC integration in this framework. This class of processes includes several common risk models and their generalizations. In this field, many objects of interest such as ruin probabilities, penalty functions or expected dividend payments are typically studied by means of associated integro-differential equations. Unfortunately, only particular parameter constellations allow for closed form solutions such that in general one needs to rely on numerical methods. Instead of studying these associated integro-differential equations, we adapt the problem in a way that allows us to apply deterministic numerical integration algorithms such as QMC rules.[-]

This talk will give an overview on the usage of piecewise deterministic Markov processes for risk theoretic modeling and the application of QMC integration in this framework. This class of processes includes several common risk models and their generalizations. In this field, many objects of interest such as ruin probabilities, penalty functions or expected dividend payments are typically studied by means of associated integro-differential equations. Unfortunately, only particular parameter constellations allow for closed form solutions such that in general one needs to rely on numerical methods. Instead of studying these associated integro-differential equations, we adapt the problem in a way that allows us to apply deterministic numerical integration algorithms such as QMC rules.[-]

We investigate a method based on risk minimization to hedge observable but non-tradable source of risk on financial or energy markets. The optimal portfolio strategy is obtained by minimizing dynamically the Conditional Value-at-Risk (CVaR) using three main tools: a stochastic approximation algorithm, optimal quantization and variance reduction techniques (importance sampling (IS) and linear control variable (LCV)) as the quantities of interest are naturally related to rare events. We illustrate our approach by considering several portfolios in connection with energy markets.

Keywords : VaR, CVaR, Stochastic Approximation, Robbins-Monro algorithm, Quantification[-]

Industrial strategic decisions have evolved tremendously in the last decades towards a higher degree of quantitative analysis. Such decisions require taking into account a large number of uncertain variables and volatile scenarios, much like financial market investments. Furthermore, they can be evaluated by comparing to portfolios of investments in financial assets such as in stocks, derivatives and commodity futures. This revolution led to the development of a new field of managerial science known as Real Options.
The use of Real Option techniques incorporates also the value of flexibility and gives a broader view of many business decisions that brings in techniques from quantitative finance and risk management. Such techniques are now part of the decision making process of many corporations and require a substantial amount of mathematical background. Yet, there has been substantial debate concerning the use of risk neutral pricing and hedging arguments to the context of project evaluation. We discuss some alternatives to risk neutral pricing that could be suitable to evaluation of projects in a realistic context with special attention to projects dependent on commodities and non-hedgeable uncertainties. More precisely, we make use of a variant of the hedged Monte-Carlo method of Potters, Bouchaud and Sestovic to tackle strategic decisions. Furthermore, we extend this to different investor risk profiles. This is joint work with Edgardo Brigatti, Felipe Macias, and Max O. de Souza.
If time allows we shall also discuss the situation when the historical data for the project evaluation is very limited and we can make use of certain symmetries of the problem to perform (with good estimates) a nonintrusive stratified resampling of the data. This is joint work with E. Gobet and G. Liu.[-]

The term ‘Public Access Defibrillation' (PAD) is referred to programs based on the placement of Automated External Defibrillators (AED) in key locations along cities' territory together with the development of a training plan for users (first responders). PAD programs are considered necessary since time for intervention in cases of sudden cardiac arrest outside of a medical environment (out-of-hospital cardiocirculatory arrest, OHCA) is strongly limited: survival potential decreases from a 67% baseline by 7 to 10% for each minute of delay in first defibrillation. However, it is widely recognized that current PAD performance is largely below its full potential. We provide a Bayesian spatio-temporal statistical model for predidicting OHCAs. Then we construct a risk map for Ticino, adjusted for demographic covariates, that explains and forecasts the spatial distribution of OHCAs, their temporal dynamics, and how the spatial distribution changes over time. The objective is twofold: to efficiently estimate, in each area of interest, the occurrence intensity of the OHCA event and to suggest a new optimized distribution of AEDs that accounts for population exposure to the geographic risk of OHCA occurrence and that includes both displacement of current devices and installation of new ones.[-]

We provide a model that aims to describe the impact of a massive cyber attack on an insurance portfolio, taking into account the structure of the network. Due to the contagion, such an event can rapidly generate consequent damages, and mutualization of the losses may not hold anymore. The composition of the portfolio should therefore be diversified enough to prevent or reduce the impact of such events, with the difficulty that the relationships between actor is difficult to assess. Our approach consists in introducing a multi-group epidemiological model which, apart from its ability to describe the intensity of connections between actors, can be calibrated from a relatively small amount of data, and through fast numerical procedures. [-]

Traditional non-life reserving models largely neglect the vast amount of information collected over the lifetime of a claim. This information includes covariates describing the policy, claim cause as well as the detailed history collected during a claim's development over time. We present the hierarchical reserving model as a modular framework for integrating a claim's history and claim-specific covariates into the development process. Hierarchical reserving models decompose the joint likelihood of the development process over time. Moreover, they are tailored to the portfolio at hand by adding a layer to the model for each of the events registered during the development of a claim (e.g. settlement, payment). Layers are modelled with statistical learning (e.g. generalized linear models) or machine learning methods (e.g. gradient boosting machines) and use claim-specific covariates. As a result of its flexibility, this framework incorporates many existing reserving models, ranging from aggregate models designed for run-off triangles to individual models using claim-specific covariates. This connection allows us to develop a data-driven strategy for choosing between aggregate and individual reserving; an important decision for reserving practitioners. We illustrate our method with a case study on a real insurance data set and deduce new insights in the covariates driving the development of claims. Moreover, we evaluate the method's performance on a large number of simulated portfolios representing several realistic development scenarios and demonstrate the flexibility and robustness of the hierarchical reserving model.[-]