Dynamics of the Leverage Cycle

Add to your list(s) Download to your calendar using vCal

• Farmer, JD (University of Oxford)
• Tuesday 26 August 2014, 11:45-12:15
• Seminar Room 1, Newton Institute.

If you have a question about this talk, please contact Mustapha Amrani.

Systemic Risk: Mathematical Modelling and Interdisciplinary Approaches

We investigate the leverage cycle in the context of several different models, ranging from more realistic agent-based models to simple reduced form models with minimal assumptions. These models build on earlier work on the leverage cycle but in a more explicit dynamic context. They make it clear how managing a portfolio with a leverage target automatically gives rise to endogenous dynamics, coupling leverage and volatility and inducing chaotic oscillations driving clustered volatility and heavy tailed risk. As one moves from countercyclical to procyclical leverage, or from longer time horizons to shorter time horizons, volatility increases and stability decreases. Policies such as Basel II and III can have unintended consequences; while they can be effective for a single investor acting alone, when all investors use them they can be destabilizing. I will also discuss the relationship to the problem in the network context, where the same principle applies, i.e., diversification of risk by individuals often creates systemic risk. Finally, I will discuss possible stabilizing policies, such as impact-adjusted accounting.

This talk is part of the Isaac Newton Institute Seminar Series series.

This talk is included in these lists:

• All CMS events
• Featured lists
• INI info aggregator
• Isaac Newton Institute Seminar Series
• School of Physical Sciences
• Seminar Room 1, Newton Institute
• bld31

Note that ex-directory lists are not shown.