到底啥是path dependent？

问题如下：

Fujioka tells Maalouf that she has been reading about the use of Monte Carlo forward- rate simulation for fixed income valuation. She asks Maalouf to further explain this approach to her. Maalouf replies, “The Monte Carlo approach is quite different from the binomial tree approach I’ve been describing to you. Some of these differences include:”

Difference 1: The Monte Carlo approach does not require calibration, whereas the binomial tree approach does.

Difference 2: The Monte Carlo approach is typically employed when cash flows are path dependent, whereas the binomial tree approach only allows one expected cash flow per node, regardless of the path of interest rates.

Difference 3: The Monte Carlo approach randomly simulates a fixed number of interest rate paths and values the security only across those paths, whereas the binomial tree approach values the security across all possible interest rate paths on the tree.

Of the three differences Maalouf describes between the binomial tree approach to fixed-income valuation and the Monte Carlo simulation approach, he is least likely correct regarding:

选项：

A.

Difference 3.

B.

Difference 2.

C.

Difference 1.

解释：

Correct Answer: C

A Monte Carlo forward rate simulation randomly generates a large number of interest rate paths that will correctly value benchmark bonds only by chance. A fixed amount, known as a drift term, is added to every forward interest rate on every simulated path to calibrate the simulation so that the values estimated for benchmark bonds equal their market prices.