Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2021 - ACMA 340 D100

Financial Economics for Actuaries (3)

Class Number: 3245

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Mon, 8:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Wed, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 28, 2021
    Wed, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    ACMA 210 and STAT 285.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Actuarial models and their application to insurance and financial risks. Introductory derivatives. Options. Option strategies and risk management. Discrete-time models: binomial models, multi-period models. Continuous-time models: Black-Scholes-Merton model. Market-making, hedging, and option Greeks. Introduction to exotic options. Covers part of the syllabus for Exam IFM of the Society of Actuaries. This course is accredited under the University Accreditation Program of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

Outline:
This course is an introduction to financial economics for actuaries. The topics covered include:

  • Introduction to Derivatives: An Overview of Financial Markets, Role of Financial Markets, Use of Derivatives, Buying and Short-Selling, Forward Contracts, Call Options, Put Options, Options as Insurance.
  • Option Trading Strategies: Basic Insurance Strategies, Put-Call Parity, Spreads and Collars, Speculating on Volatility.
  • Forwards and Futures: Alternative Ways to Buy a Stock, Prepaid Forward Contracts on Stocks, Forward Contracts on Stocks, Futures Contracts, Currency Contracts, Commodity Forwards.
  • Swaps: Understanding Swaps, Computing the Swap Rate in General, Interest Rate Swaps, Currency Swaps, Total Return Swaps.
  • Put-Call Parity: Put-Call Parity, Generalized Parity and Exchange Options, Comparing Options.
  • Binomial Option Pricing: One-Period Binomial Tree, Constructing a Binomial Tree, Two-Period Binomial Tree, The General Binomial Tree Model, Pricing Using Real Probabilities, American Options, Options on Dividend-Paying Stocks, Options on Other Assets, Alternative Binomial Trees.
  • The Black-Scholes-Merton Model: Introduction to the Black-Scholes-Merton Formula, Relationship Between Binomial and BSM Models, Applying the Formula to Other Assets, Option Greeks, Option Elasticity, Profit Diagrams Before Maturity.
  • Market-Making and Delta-Hedging: What Do Market-Makers Do, Market-Maker Risk, Delta-Hedging, The Mathematics of Delta-Hedging, The BSM Analysis.
  • Introduction to Exotic Options: Asian Options, Barrier Options, Compound Options, Gap Options, Exchange Options.
  • Market Efficiency, Behavioural Finance and Project Analysis: Efficient-Market Hypothesis, Behavioural Biases, Cognitive Behavioural Biases, Investment risk Measures, Advantages and Disadvantages of Risk Measures, Risk Analysis.

Mode of teaching:
  • Lectures: asynchronous and synchronous (recorded)
  • Tutorial: synchronous
  • Tests: synchronous; dates: TBA
  • Final exam: synchronous; date: TBA
The tests and final exam will be remotely invigilated using Zoom. Students should have reliable high-speed internet access and a webcam.


This course is accredited under the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (CIA) University Accreditation Program (UAP). Achievement of the minimum required grades in accredited courses may provide credit for preliminary exams. Please note that a combination of courses may be required to achieve exam credit. Details on the required courses and grades for the Simon Fraser University can be found here.

In addition to the specific university’s internal policies on conduct, including academic misconduct, candidates pursuing credits for writing professional examinations shall also be subject to the Code of Conduct and Ethics for Candidates in the CIA Education System and the associated Policy on Conduct and Ethics for Candidates in the CIA Education System. For more information, please visit information for candidates on obtaining UAP credits.

Grading

  • Synchronous and Asynchronous Activities 15%
  • Term Project 5%
  • Tests 40%
  • Final Exam 40%

NOTES:

Above grading is subject to change.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Participation in synchronous components requires students to have reliable high-speed internet access, a webcam, and a microphone.

REQUIRED READING:

McDonald, R. L. (2012). Derivatives Markets (3rd edition). Pearson.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Hull, J. C. (2015). Options, Futures, and Other Derivatives, 9th ed. Pearson.

Shreve, S. E. (2004). Stochastic Calculus for Finance I: Binomial Asset Pricing Model. Springer. Chapter  1

Shreve, S. E. (2004). Stochastic Calculus for Finance II: Continuous-Time Models. Springer. Chapter  7

Cvitanic, J., and Zapatero, F. (2004). Introduction to the Economics and Mathematics of Financial Markets. The MIT Press.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

Students with Disabilities:
Students requiring accommodations as a result of disability must contact the Centre for Accessible Learning 778-782-3112 or csdo@sfu.ca


Tutor Requests:
Students looking for a Tutor should visit http://www.stat.sfu.ca/teaching/need-a-tutor-.html. We accept no responsibility for the consequences of any actions taken related to tutors.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN SPRING 2021

Teaching at SFU in spring 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).