Document Type
Working Paper
Date of this Version
1-1-2002
Abstract
Recent years have seen the introduction of a new class of derivative securities based on "exotic underlyings" such as natural catastrophes and weather. This paper analyzes the pros and cons of these new securities as assets for institutional investors. It is argued that the underlyings on which these derivatives trade have very low correlations with other factors that move the investment markets, potentially enabling investors to shift the efficient investment frontier in a favorable direction. However, there in very little data on the effects on the market of a large natural catastrophe, and these securities may be especially susceptible to liquidity problems and credit risk. The paper explores these issues in more detail, as well as providing information on the actual and optimal design of such contracts.
Working Paper Number
WP2002-22
Copyright/Permission Statement
©2002 Pension Research Council of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. All Rights Reserved.
Date Posted: 06 September 2019
Comments
The published version of this Working Paper may be found in the 2003 publication: The Pension Challenge: Risk Transfers and Retirement Income Security.