Valuation of Structured Products

The objective of the thesis is to acquaint readers with field of structured product valuation. It is a relatively complex issue which is, however, based on general valuation foundations. The opening chapter is dedicated to these general fundamentals of valuation. Emphasis is placed mainly on present value principle, a specific variant of comparison, and its related aspects. The second section describes key elements of structured product valuation. Greater part of this chapter is devoted to the Monte Carlo simulation, the most employed tool in valuation of these products in practice. An important part of Monte Carlo simulation is an option spread, which arises as by-product of the simulation and reflects value of an option contained in the evaluated instrument. Third chapter is focused on interest rate and prepayment models. Level of prepayment is dependent on interest rates development which both are the most critical factors that affect value of structured products. Description of models includes theoretical and mathematical formulation as well as mentioning their advantages and disadvantages. Valuation model is illustrated in the last part, which is demonstrated on valuation of hypothetical structured products example. Based on the model, the development of cash flows from underlying asset portfolio is forecasted which in turn determines the value of evaluated instruments. The final section deals with advantages of structured products and, hence, why banks and other institutions use them in practice