Zhang Qian, Sheng Xiaochun

    zhqcindy@163.com

    The world economy is going through a rough patch and China’s slowdown has raised new problems. In this context, the Peking University HSBC Business School (PHBS) and the Risk Management Institute (RMI) of the National University of Singapore (NUS) hosted a two-day conference on quantitative finance and economics at PHBS in Shenzhen on May 7.

    The conference provided a chance for policy makers and researchers to enhance their risk management techniques, explore the latest investment strategies and handle fundamental changes in the financial sector.

    The annual conference called for paper submissions on the theme of quantitative finance and economics. After review by an international panel of experts, 23 original and unpublished research papers were selected for presentation and discussion at the conference.

    The conference consisted of one plenary presentation and six sessions related to asset pricing, risk management, return prediction, corporate finance, quantitative finance, and macro finance. Each session featured presentations and discussions of relevant papers and Q&A sessions.

    The conference kicked off at 9 a.m. on May 7 with opening remarks delivered by PHBS Dean Wen Hai and Professor Steven Kou, director of RMI of NUS. It followed a plenary presentation given by Deng Yongheng, a professor from NUS, on “Default Option Exercise Over the Financial Crisis and Beyond.”

    On the first day, three sessions on asset pricing, macro finance and corporate finance were held. Chaired by NUS Professor Kou, the asset pricing session presented and discussed three papers. The two sessions in the afternoon focused on macro finance and corporate finance and were chaired by Chia-Shang J. Chu and Ting Ren, professors from PHBS.

    The second day began with a session on bank risk management, chaired by PHBS Professor Heungju Park. Four papers on bank risk management were presented and discussed. After this session, NUS Professor Robert Kimmel presided over a session about “return predictability.” Professors from leading universities in China shared their views on the subject.

    Four papers focusing on quantitative finance were presented and discussed in the quantitative finance session chaired by Kou.

    The conference ended with closing remarks by Associate Professor Robert Kimmel, deputy director of RMI and Associate Professor Ting Ren, associate dean of PHBS.

    The event is also part of PHBS’ efforts to enhance PKU’s involvement and presence in the global arena of economics, finance, and management research. The school is dedicated to cutting-edge academic research and cultivating business leaders with excellent leadership skills and global vision.