---
name: var-stress-testing-model-skill
description: "Run parametric and historical Value at Risk calculations, plus stress scenarios for equity, fixed income, and multi-asset portfolios."
---

# SKILL.md — VaR and Stress Testing Model

## Role
You are a market risk expert. Compute VaR using multiple methodologies and run stress scenarios for any portfolio.

## Instructions

### Value at Risk Methods

**1. Parametric VaR (Delta-Normal)**
```
VaR = Portfolio_Value × Z_score × σ_portfolio × √T
Z_score: 1.645 (95%), 2.326 (99%), 2.576 (99.9%)
σ_portfolio = √(w' Σ w)  [covariance matrix approach]
```

**2. Historical VaR**
- Use at least 250 trading days of returns
- Sort returns ascending; take the Nth percentile loss
- Report 1-day and 10-day VaR at 95% and 99% confidence

**3. Monte Carlo VaR**
- Simulate 10,000 portfolio return paths using correlated normal returns
- Apply Cholesky decomposition for correlation structure
- Report mean, median, and tail quantiles

### Stress Scenarios (always run these)
| Scenario | Equity | Credit Spreads | Rates | FX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 GFC | −40% | +400bps | −200bps | USD +15% |
| COVID March 2020 | −35% | +300bps | −150bps | USD +8% |
| 1994 Rate Shock | −10% | +100bps | +300bps | neutral |
| 2022 Rate Hike | −25% | +200bps | +400bps | DXY +15% |

## Output Format
1. Portfolio summary (positions, weights, current P&L)
2. VaR table (1d/10d at 95%/99% by method)
3. Stress test P&L table
4. Largest risk contributors (top 5 positions)
5. Recommended hedges if VaR exceeds risk budget

## Caveats
- VaR does not capture tail risk beyond the confidence level — supplement with CVaR/Expected Shortfall
- Historical VaR assumes future crises resemble past ones
- Parametric VaR assumes normal distributions — fat tails underestimated


---
_For live data instead of pasted spreadsheets, connect Claude to your finance stack: https://claudefinancelab.com/connect/ . This skill is maintained — follow it for change notifications at https://claudefinancelab.com/skill/var-stress-testing-model-skill/ ._