The ValueAtRisk(pathfunction, pathgenerator, opts) calling sequence computes a Monte Carlo estimate of the value-at-risk of a portfolio whose total value is governed by the specified stochastic process. It follows the same procedure as the SamplePath and ExpectedValue commands:

Generate a replication of the sample path using the specified path generator and store these values as a Maple Array, for example . In the case of a one-dimensional process,  is a one-dimensional array of size , where  is the number of points in the time grid (the number of time steps plus one). In the case of a multi-dimensional process,  is a two-dimensional array of size , where  is the dimension of the underlying stochastic process and  is the same as in the one-dimensional case.

Compute the value .

Repeat these two steps the specified number of times (see the replications option) and compute the mean average.

The ValueAtRisk(pathfunction, process, timegrid, opts) and ValueAtRisk(pathfunction, process, timeinterval, opts) calling sequences first construct the corresponding path generator and then perform the same computations as above.

The parameter pathfunction must be a Maple procedure that accepts a one-dimensional array of floating-point numbers (sample path for the underlying process) and returns the corresponding value as a floating point number. A path function can be used for example to compute expected values for some path-dependent payoffs.

The timegrid parameter can be used to pass non-homogeneous time grids to the simulation routines. It must be given as a data structure generated by the TimeGrid command.

The timeinterval parameter must be of type range , where  and  are non-negative constants such that . When the ValueAtRisk(pathfunction, process, timeinterval, opts) calling sequence is used, the uniform time grid between  and  (with time steps ) is generated.

Note that if , the value at  will be simulated using a single step of the default discretization method and hence can suffer from a significant discretization bias. Increasing the number of time steps will refine the grid between  and , but will have no effect on the value at . To reduce the bias, use a time interval of the form .

The ValueAtRisk(expression, opts) calling sequence attempts to extract all the stochastic variables involved in expression and generate the corresponding path generator and path function using the specified number of time steps. In particular, ValueAtRisk will extract all time instances involved in expression and adjust them so that they belong to the grid.

All stochastic variables involved in expression should be of the form , where  is some expression. If  is multi-dimensional stochastic, then the individual components of  can be accessed using the notation .

confidencelevel = realcons -- This option specifies the confidence level for which the value-at-risk is computed. The value of this option be a real constant between 0 and 1. By default, a .99 confidence level is used.

replications = posint -- This option specifies the number of replications of the sample path. By default, only one replication of the sample path is generated.

timesteps = posint -- This option specifies the number of time steps. This option is ignored if an explicit time grid is specified. By default, only one time step is used.

The Finance[ValueAtRisk] command was introduced in Maple 15.

For more information on Maple 15 changes, see Updates in Maple 15.

Glasserman, P., Monte Carlo Methods in Financial Engineering. New York: Springer-Verlag, 2004.

Hull, J., Options, Futures, and Other Derivatives, 5th. edition. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2003.

Kloeden, P., and Platen, E., Numerical Solution of Stochastic Differential Equations, New York: Springer-Verlag, 1999.