Why risk is so hard to measure

Download paper webappendix

Danielsson, J. and C. Zhou (2017, January). Why risk is so hard to measure.

This paper analyzes the reliability of standard approaches for financial risk analysis. We focus on the difference between value--at--risk and expected shortfall, their small sample properties, the scope for underreporting risk and how estimation can be improved. Overall, we find that risk forecasts are extremely uncertain at low sample sizes, with value--at--risk more accurate than expected shortfall. Value--at--risk is easily deliberately underreported without violating regulations and control mechanisms. Finally, we discuss the implications for {academic research, }practitioners and regulators, along with best practice suggestions.

@misc{DanielssonZhou2017,
	title={Why risk is so hard to measure},
	author={J{\'o}n Dan{\'i}elsson and Chen Zhou},
	month=jan,
	year=2017,
	url={https://ssrn.com/abstract=2597563},
	abstract={This paper analyzes the reliability of  standard approaches for financial risk analysis. We focus on the difference between value--at--risk and expected shortfall, their  small sample properties, the scope for underreporting risk  and how estimation can be improved.  Overall, we find that risk forecasts are extremely uncertain at low sample sizes,  with value--at--risk more accurate than expected shortfall. Value--at--risk is easily deliberately underreported without violating regulations and control mechanisms.  Finally, we discuss the implications for {academic research, }practitioners and regulators, along with best practice suggestions.},
	webappendix={www.ModelsandRisk.org/VaR-and-ES},
	files={null},
	
	
}


Tail Index Estimation: Quantile Driven Threshold Selection
Challenges in implementing worst-case analysis

Risk research
Jon Danielson's research papers on systemic risk, artificial intelligence, risk forecasting, financial regulations and crypto currencies.
© All rights reserved, Jon Danielsson,