Constrained Portfolio Optimization via Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA) with XY-Mixers and Trotterized Initialization: A Hybrid Approach for Direct Indexing

Portfolio optimization under strict cardinality constraints is a combinatorial challenge that defies classical convex optimization techniques, particularly in the context of “Direct Indexing” and ESG-constrained mandates. In the Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) era, the Quantum Approximate Op

February 16, 2026 · 2 min · thequant.space

FactorMiner: A Self-Evolving Agent with Skills and Experience Memory for Financial Alpha Discovery

Formulaic alpha factor mining is a critical yet challenging task in quantitative investment, characterized by a vast search space and the need for domain-informed, interpretable signals. However, finding novel signals becomes increasingly difficult as the library grows due to high redundancy. We pro

February 16, 2026 · 2 min · thequant.space

Information-Theoretic Approach to Financial Market Modelling

The paper treats the financial market as a communication system, using four information-theoretic assumptions to derive an idealized model with only one parameter. State variables are scalar stationary diffusions. The model minimizes the surprisal of the market and the Kullback-Leibler divergence be

February 16, 2026 · 1 min · thequant.space

Market Efficiency and the Heterogeneous Impact of Financial Liberalization: Evidence from the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect

This paper investigates the impact of the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect (SHHK Stock Connect) on the A-H share price premium and examines whether the policy effect is contingent on market efficiency. Using monthly data for 67 Shanghai-listed A-H dual-listed firms from January 2011 to May 2019, we

February 16, 2026 · 2 min · thequant.space

Optimal investment under capital gains taxes

We generalize classical results on the existence of optimal portfolios in discrete time frictionless market models to models with capital gains taxes. We consider the realistic but mathematically challenging rule that losses do not trigger negative taxes but can only be offset against potential gain

February 16, 2026 · 2 min · thequant.space

Predicting Invoice Dilution in Supply Chain Finance with Leakage Free Two Stage XGBoost, KAN (Kolmogorov Arnold Networks), and Ensemble Models

Invoice or payment dilution is the gap between the approved invoice amount and the actual collection is a significant source of non credit risk and margin loss in supply chain finance. Traditionally, this risk is managed through the buyer’s irrevocable payment undertaking (IPU), which commits to ful

February 16, 2026 · 2 min · thequant.space

Predicting the success of new crypto-tokens: the Pump.fun case

We study the dynamics of token launched on Pump.fun, a Solana-based launchpad platform, to identify the determinants of the token success. Pump.fun employs a bonding curve mechanism to bootstrap initial liquidity possibly leading to graduation to the on-chain market, which can be seen as a token suc

February 16, 2026 · 2 min · thequant.space

Sustainable Investment: ESG Impacts on Large Portfolio

This paper investigates the impact of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) constraint on a regularized mean-variance (MV) portfolio optimization problem in a large-dimensional setting, in which a positive definite regularization matrix is imposed on the sample covariance matrix. We first deri

February 16, 2026 · 2 min · thequant.space

Evaluating LLMs in Finance Requires Explicit Bias Consideration

Large Language Models (LLMs) are increasingly integrated into financial workflows, but evaluation practice has not kept up. Finance-specific biases can inflate performance, contaminate backtests, and make reported results useless for any deployment claim. We identify five recurring biases in financi

February 15, 2026 · 2 min · thequant.space

Factor Engine: A Python Library for Systematic Financial Factor Computation and Analysis

Factor Engine is a high-performance, open-source Python library designed for the systematic computation and analysis of financial factors. Built around a modular and extensible API that leverages Python decorators, Factor Engine enables users to define custom factors with ease and integrates seamles

February 15, 2026 · 2 min · thequant.space

Hidden Risks and Optionalities in American Options

We develop a practical framework for identifying and quantifying the hidden layers of risks and optionality embedded in American options by introducing stochasticity into one or more of their underlying determinants. The heuristic approach remedies the problems of conventional pricing systems, which

February 15, 2026 · 1 min · thequant.space

Pareto and Bowley Reinsurance Games in Peer-to-Peer Insurance

We propose a peer-to-peer (P2P) insurance scheme comprising a risk-sharing pool and a reinsurer. A plan manager determines how risks are allocated among members and ceded to the reinsurer, while the reinsurer sets the reinsurance loading. Our work focuses on the strategic interaction between the pla

February 15, 2026 · 2 min · thequant.space

Merton's Problem with Recursive Perturbed Utility

The classical Merton investment problem predicts deterministic, state-dependent portfolio rules; however, laboratory and field evidence suggests that individuals often prefer randomized decisions leading to stochastic and noisy choices. Fudenberg et al. (2015) develop the additive perturbed utility

February 14, 2026 · 2 min · thequant.space

Efficient Monte Carlo Valuation of Corporate Bonds in Financial Networks

Valuing corporate bonds in systemic economies is challenging due to intricate webs of inter-institutional exposures. When a bank defaults, cascading losses propagate through the network, with payments determined by a system of fixed-point equations lacking closed-form solutions. Standard Monte Carlo

February 13, 2026 · 2 min · thequant.space

Transformer-based CoVaR: Systemic Risk in Textual Information

Conditional Value-at-Risk (CoVaR) quantifies systemic financial risk by measuring the loss quantile of one asset, conditional on another asset experiencing distress. We develop a Transformer-based methodology that integrates financial news articles directly with market data to improve CoVaR estimate

February 13, 2026 · 2 min · thequant.space

Exact Value Solution to the Equity Premium Puzzle

This article’s aim is to provide the solution to the equity premium puzzle without using calibrated values. Calibrated values of subjective time discount factor were used in my prior derived models because 4 variables were determined from 3 different equations. Furthermore, calculated values and ris

February 12, 2026 · 2 min · thequant.space

Liquidation Dynamics in DeFi and the Role of Transaction Fees

Liquidation of collateral are the primary safeguard for solvency of lending protocols in decentralized finance. However, the mechanics of liquidations expose these protocols to predatory price manipulations and other forms of Maximal Extractable Value (MEV). In this paper, we characterize the optima

February 12, 2026 · 2 min · thequant.space

Time-Inhomogeneous Volatility Aversion for Financial Applications of Reinforcement Learning

In finance, sequential decision problems are often faced, for which reinforcement learning (RL) emerges as a promising tool for optimisation without the need of analytical tractability. However, the objective of classical RL is the expected cumulated reward, while financial applications typically re

February 12, 2026 · 2 min · thequant.space

A novel approach to trading strategy parameter optimization using double out-of-sample data and walk-forward techniques

This study introduces a novel approach to walk-forward optimization by parameterizing the lengths of training and testing windows. We demonstrate that the performance of a trading strategy using the Exponential Moving Average (EMA) evaluated within a walk-forward procedure based on the Robust Sharpe

February 11, 2026 · 3 min · thequant.space

Integrating granular data into a multilayer network: an interbank model of the euro area for systemic risk assessment

Micro-structural models of contagion and systemic risk emphasize that shock propagation is inherently multi-channel, spanning counterparty exposures, short-term funding and roll-over risk, securities cross-holdings, and common-asset (fire-sale) spillovers. Empirical implementations, however, often r

February 11, 2026 · 2 min · thequant.space