A Stochastically Correlated Bivariate Square-Root Model

Abstract

We introduce a novel stochastically correlated two-factor (i.e., bivariate) diffusion process under the square-root format, for which we analytically obtain the corresponding solutions for the conditional moment-generating functions and conditional characteristic functions. Such solutions recover verbatim those of the uncorrelated case which encompasses a range of processes similar to those produced by a bivariate square-root process in which entries are correlated in the standard way, that is, via a constant correlation coefficient. Note that closed-form solutions for the conditional characteristic and moment-generating functions are not available for the latter. We focus on the financial scenario of obtaining closed-form expressions for the exact price of a zero-coupon bond and Asian option prices using a Fourier cosine series method.