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OTC Market Data and Technology

What is Evidential pricing?

Ellie Edwards
By Ellie Edwards, Content and PR LeadSep 26, 2024

Evidential pricing is a data-driven approach to determining the fair value of financial instruments, particularly in over-the-counter (OTC) markets. It involves using historical market data, market dynamics, and risk factors to assess the price of a derivative.

Key elements of evidential pricing include:

  • Data-driven: Relying on historical market data, real-time quotes, and other relevant information.

  • Transparent: Using clear and documented methodologies to determine prices.

  • Risk-based: Considering various risk factors, such as market risk, credit risk, and liquidity risk.

  • Regulatory compliant: Aligning with regulatory requirements for fair valuation and risk disclosure.

Evidential pricing is often used in OTC markets due to the complexity and customization of derivatives, which can make traditional pricing methods less reliable. By providing a more accurate and transparent pricing methodology, evidential pricing can help reduce pricing disputes, manage risk, and enhance regulatory compliance How does evidential pricing work?

Evidential pricing works by leveraging historical market data, real-time quotes, and other relevant information to determine the fair value of a financial instrument. Here's a breakdown of the general process:

  1. Data Collection: Gather historical market data, including prices, volumes, and other relevant factors. This data can be obtained from various sources, such as exchanges, data providers, and regulatory authorities.

  2. Model Development: Develop a pricing model that incorporates relevant risk factors and pricing methodologies. These models can be based on statistical techniques, option pricing models, or other quantitative methods.

  3. Calibration: Calibrate the pricing model using historical data to ensure that it accurately reflects past market behaviour. This involves adjusting model parameters to minimize the difference between the model's predicted prices and actual market prices.

  4. Scenario Analysis: Use the calibrated model to analyse various scenarios, such as different market conditions or changes in underlying factors. This helps to assess the potential impact of different events on the instrument's value.

  5. Price Determination: Apply the calibrated model to the current market conditions to determine the fair value of the financial instrument. This involves inputting relevant data into the model and calculating the resulting price.

What would people use Evidential pricing around OTC markets for?

Evidential Pricing in OTC Markets: A Powerful Tool

Evidential pricing in OTC markets is a strategic approach that leverages data and analytics to determine fair and competitive prices for over-the-counter derivatives. Given the unique characteristics of OTC markets, such as bilateral negotiations, lack of centralized exchanges, and the complexity of underlying instruments, evidential pricing can offer significant benefits. Key Applications of Evidential Pricing in OTC Markets:

  1. Fair Value Determination:

    • Pricing Complexity: OTC derivatives often involve complex structures and custom terms, making traditional pricing models challenging. Evidential pricing can provide a more accurate assessment of fair value by considering historical market data, market dynamics, and risk factors.

    • Transparency: By providing a transparent and data-driven pricing methodology, evidential pricing can enhance trust and confidence among market participants.

  2. Risk Management:

    • Counterparty Risk: Evidential pricing can help identify potential counterparty risks by analysing historical trading patterns, creditworthiness, and other relevant factors. This information can be used to adjust pricing accordingly.

    • Market Risk: By incorporating market risk factors into the pricing model, evidential pricing can help mitigate losses due to adverse market movements.

  3. Regulatory Compliance:

    • Fair Valuation: Regulatory bodies often require financial institutions to use fair valuation methodologies. Evidential pricing can provide a robust and defensible approach that meets regulatory standards.

    • Risk Disclosure: Evidential pricing can help financial institutions comply with disclosure requirements by providing transparent information about pricing methodologies and risk factors.

  4. Competitive Advantage:

    • Differentiation: Financial institutions that can effectively leverage evidential pricing can gain a competitive advantage by offering more accurate and transparent pricing to their clients.

FAQ

What are the use cases for Evidential Pricing?

Fair Value Determination:

  • Pricing Complexity: OTC derivatives often involve complex structures and custom terms, making traditional pricing models challenging. Evidential pricing can provide a more accurate assessment of fair value by considering historical market data, market dynamics, and risk factors.

  • Transparency: By providing a transparent and data-driven pricing methodology, evidential pricing can enhance trust and confidence among market participants.

Risk Management:

  • Counterparty Risk: Evidential pricing can help identify potential counterparty risks by analysing historical trading patterns, creditworthiness, and other relevant factors. This information can be used to adjust pricing accordingly.

  • Market Risk: By incorporating market risk factors into the pricing model, evidential pricing can help mitigate losses due to adverse market movements.

Regulatory Compliance:

  • Fair Valuation: Regulatory bodies often require financial institutions to use fair valuation methodologies. Evidential pricing can provide a robust and defensible approach that meets regulatory standards.

  • Risk Disclosure: Evidential pricing can help financial institutions comply with disclosure requirements by providing transparent information about pricing methodologies and risk factors.

What makes Evidential data so useful for these use cases?

1. Fair Value Determination:

  • Data-Driven Approach: Evidential pricing leverages historical market data, real-time quotes, and other relevant information to provide a more accurate assessment of fair value, reducing the subjectivity and potential biases often associated with traditional pricing methods.

  • Customization: It can be tailored to specific instruments and market conditions, ensuring that the pricing reflects the unique characteristics of each transaction.

2. Risk Management:

  • Risk Identification: By analysing historical data and market trends, evidential pricing can help identify potential risks, such as counterparty default or market volatility.

  • Risk Quantification: It can also quantify these risks, allowing market participants to make informed decisions about hedging and other risk mitigation strategies.

3. Regulatory Compliance:

  • Transparency: Evidential pricing's transparent methodologies and data-driven approach align well with regulatory requirements for fair valuation and risk disclosure.

  • Auditability: The use of data and analytics makes it easier to audit and verify the pricing process, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

Our Evidential Market Data solutions empower clients to optimize capital, mitigate risk, and ensure regulatory compliance. By providing comprehensive Level 1 and Level 2 pricing, we help institutions unlock capital and make informed decisions, while safeguarding against penalties from Dodd-Frank, Solvency II, and EMIR.

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