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Python for Finance

Python for Finance

By : Yuxing Yan
3.9 (22)
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Python for Finance

Python for Finance

3.9 (22)
By: Yuxing Yan

Overview of this book

A hands-on guide with easy-to-follow examples to help you learn about option theory, quantitative finance, financial modeling, and time series using Python. Python for Finance is perfect for graduate students, practitioners, and application developers who wish to learn how to utilize Python to handle their financial needs. Basic knowledge of Python will be helpful but knowledge of programming is necessary.
Table of Contents (14 chapters)
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Preface
Preface
Why Python?
A programming book written by a finance professor
Small programs oriented
Using real-world data
What this book covers
What could you achieve after reading this book?
Who this book is for
Conventions
Two ways to use the book
Reader feedback
Customer support
Free Chapter
1
1. Introduction and Installation of Python
1. Introduction and Installation of Python
Introduction to Python
Installing Python
Different versions of Python
Ways to launch Python
Quitting Python
Error messages
Python language is case sensitive
Initializing the variable
Finding the help window
Finding manuals and tutorials
Finding the version of Python
Summary
Exercises
2
2. Using Python as an Ordinary Calculator
2. Using Python as an Ordinary Calculator
Assigning values to variables
Error messages
Choosing meaningful names
Using dir() to find variables and functions
Basic math operations – addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
The power function, floor, and remainder
Choosing appropriate precision
Finding out more information about a specific built-in function
Importing the math module
A few frequently used functions
The tuple data type
Summary
Exercises
3
3. Using Python as a Financial Calculator
3. Using Python as a Financial Calculator
Writing a Python function without saving it
Default input values for a function
Indentation is critical in Python
Checking the existence of our functions
Defining functions from our Python editor
Activating our function using the import function
Debugging a program from a Python editor
Two ways to call our pv_f() function
Generating our own module
Types of comments
The if() function
Annuity estimation
Converting the interest rates
Continuously compounded interest rate
A data type – list
Net present value and the NPV rule
Defining the payback period and the payback period rule
Defining IRR and the IRR rule
Showing certain files in a specific subdirectory
Using Python as a financial calculator
Adding our project directory to the path
Summary
Exercises
4
4. 13 Lines of Python to Price a Call Option
4. 13 Lines of Python to Price a Call Option
Writing a program – the empty shell method
Writing a program – the comment-all-out method
Using and debugging other programs
Summary
Exercises
5
5. Introduction to Modules
5. Introduction to Modules
What is a module?
Importing a module
Module dependency
Summary
Exercises
6
6. Introduction to NumPy and SciPy
6. Introduction to NumPy and SciPy
Installation of NumPy and SciPy
Launching Python from Anaconda
Showing all functions in NumPy and SciPy
More information about a specific function
Understanding the list data type
Working with arrays of ones, zeros, and the identity matrix
Performing array manipulations
Performing array operations with +, -, *, /
The x.sum() dot function
Looping through an array
Using the help function related to modules
A list of subpackages for SciPy
Cumulative standard normal distribution
Logic relationships related to an array
Statistic submodule (stats) from SciPy
Interpolation in SciPy
Solving linear equations using SciPy
Generating random numbers with a seed
Finding a function from an imported module
Understanding optimization
Linear regression and Capital Assets Pricing Model (CAPM)
Retrieving data from an external text file
Installing NumPy independently
Understanding the data types
Summary
Exercises
7
7. Visual Finance via Matplotlib
7. Visual Finance via Matplotlib
Installing matplotlib via ActivePython
Alternative installation via Anaconda
Understanding how to use matplotlib
Understanding simple and compounded interest rates
Adding texts to our graph
Working with DuPont identity
Understanding the Net Present Value (NPV) profile
Graphical representation of the portfolio diversification effect
Retrieving historical price data from Yahoo! Finance
Understanding the time value of money
Candlesticks representation of IBM's daily price
IBM's intra-day graphical representations
Presenting both closing price and trading volume
Performance comparisons among stocks
Comparing return versus volatility for several stocks
Finding manuals, examples, and videos
Installing the matplotlib module independently
Summary
Exercises
8
8. Statistical Analysis of Time Series
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8. Statistical Analysis of Time Series
Installing Pandas and statsmodels
Using Pandas and statsmodels
Open data sources
Retrieving data to our programs
Several important functionalities
Return estimation
Merging datasets by date
T-test and F-test
Many useful applications
Constructing an efficient frontier
Understanding the interpolation technique
Outputting data to external files
Python for high-frequency data
More on using Spyder
A useful dataset
Summary
Exercise
9
9. The Black-Scholes-Merton Option Model
9. The Black-Scholes-Merton Option Model
Payoff and profit/loss functions for the call and put options
European versus American options
Cash flows, types of options, a right, and an obligation
Normal distribution, standard normal distribution, and cumulative standard normal distribution
The Black-Scholes-Merton option model on non-dividend paying stocks
The p4f module for options
European options with known dividends
Various trading strategies
Relationship between input values and option values
Greek letters for options
The put-call parity and its graphical representation
Binomial tree (the CRR method) and its graphical representation
Hedging strategies
Summary
Exercises
10
10. Python Loops and Implied Volatility
10. Python Loops and Implied Volatility
Definition of an implied volatility
Understanding a for loop
Estimation of IRR via a for loop
Understanding a while loop
Using keyboard commands to stop an infinitive loop
Estimating implied volatility by using an American call
Measuring efficiency by time spent in finishing a program
The mechanism of a binary search
Sequential versus random access
Looping through an array/DataFrame
Retrieving option data from CBOE
Retrieving option data from Yahoo! Finance
The put-call ratio
Summary
Exercises
11
11. Monte Carlo Simulation and Options
11. Monte Carlo Simulation and Options
Generating random numbers from a standard normal distribution
Generating random numbers from a uniform distribution
Using simulation to estimate the pi value
Generating random numbers from a Poisson distribution
Bootstrapping with/without replacements
Distribution of annual returns
Simulation of stock price movements
Finding an efficient portfolio and frontier
Geometric versus arithmetic mean
Long-term return forecasting
Pricing a call using simulation
Exotic options
Barrier in-and-out parity
Pricing lookback options with floating strikes
Using the Sobol sequence to improve the efficiency
Summary
Exercises
12
12. Volatility Measures and GARCH
12. Volatility Measures and GARCH
Conventional volatility measure – standard deviation
Tests of normality
Lower partial standard deviation
Test of equivalency of volatility over two periods
Test of heteroskedasticity, Breusch, and Pagan (1979)
Retrieving option data from Yahoo! Finance
Volatility smile and skewness
The ARCH model
The GARCH (Generalized ARCH) model
Summary
Exercises
13
Index
Index

Installing Pandas and statsmodels

In the previous chapter, we used ActivePython. Although this package includes Pandas using PyPm to install, statsmodel is unavailable in PyPm. Fortunately, we could use Anaconda, introduced in Chapter 4, 13 Lines of Python Code to Price a Call Option. The major reason that we recommend Anaconda is that the package includes NumPy, SciPy, matplotlib, Pandas, and statsmodels. The second reason is its wonderful editor called Spyder.

To install Anaconda, perform the following two steps:

  1. Go to http://continuum.io/downloads.
  2. According to your machine, choose an appropriate package, such as Anaconda-1.8.0-Windows-x86.exe for a Windows version.

There are several ways to launch Python. After clicking on Start | All Programs, search Anaconda; we will see the following hierarchy:

Installing Pandas and statsmodels

In the following three sections, we show different ways to launch Python.

Launching Python using the Anaconda command prompt

For launching Python using the Anaconda command prompt, perform the following...

End of Section 2
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