Martingale Option Pricing

We show that our generalization of the Black-Scholes partial differential equation (pde) for nontrivial diffusion coefficients is equivalent to a Martingale in the risk neutral discounted stock price. Previously, this was proven for the case of the Gaussian logarithmic returns model by Harrison and Kreps, but we prove it for much a much larger class of returns models where the diffusion coefficient depends on both returns x and time t. That option prices blow up if fat tails in logarithmic returns x are included in the market dynamics is also explained

Sequential Monte Carlo Methods for Option Pricing

In the following paper we provide a review and development of sequential Monte Carlo (SMC) methods for option pricing. SMC are a class of Monte Carlo-based algorithms, that are designed to approximate expectations w.r.t a sequence of related probability measures. These approaches have been used, successfully, for a wide class of applications in engineering, statistics, physics and operations research. SMC methods are highly suited to many option pricing problems and sensitivity/Greek calculations due to the nature of the sequential simulation. However, it is seldom the case that such ideas are explicitly used in the option pricing literature. This article provides an up-to date review of SMC methods, which are appropriate for option pricing. In addition, it is illustrated how a number of existing approaches for option pricing can be enhanced via SMC. Specifically, when pricing the arithmetic Asian option w.r.t a complex stochastic volatility model, it is shown that SMC methods provide additional strategies to improve estimation.Comment: 37 Pages, 2 Figure

Fractional constant elasticity of variance model

This paper develops a European option pricing formula for fractional market models. Although there exist option pricing results for a fractional Black-Scholes model, they are established without accounting for stochastic volatility. In this paper, a fractional version of the Constant Elasticity of Variance (CEV) model is developed. European option pricing formula similar to that of the classical CEV model is obtained and a volatility skew pattern is revealed.Comment: Published at http://dx.doi.org/10.1214/074921706000001012 in the IMS Lecture Notes Monograph Series (http://www.imstat.org/publications/lecnotes.htm) by the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (http://www.imstat.org

A generalization of Hull and White formula and applications to option pricing approximation

By means of Malliavin Calculus we see that the classical Hull and White formula for option pricing can be extended to the case where the noise driving the volatility process is correlated with the noise driving the stock prices. This extension will allow us to construct option pricing approximation formulas. Numerical examples are presented.Continuous-time option pricing model, stochastic volatility, Malliavin calculus

Black-Scholes option pricing within Ito and Stratonovich conventions

Options financial instruments designed to protect investors from the stock market randomness. In 1973, Fisher Black, Myron Scholes and Robert Merton proposed a very popular option pricing method using stochastic differential equations within the Ito interpretation. Herein, we derive the Black-Scholes equation for the option price using the Stratonovich calculus along with a comprehensive review, aimed to physicists, of the classical option pricing method based on the Ito calculus. We show, as can be expected, that the Black-Scholes equation is independent of the interpretation chosen. We nonetheless point out the many subtleties underlying Black-Scholes option pricing method.Comment: 14 page

Option Pricing with Delayed Information

We propose a model to study the effects of delayed information on option pricing. We first talk about the absence of arbitrage in our model, and then discuss super replication with delayed information in a binomial model, notably, we present a closed form formula for the price of convex contingent claims. Also, we address the convergence problem as the time-step and delay length tend to zero and introduce analogous results in the continuous time framework. Finally, we explore how delayed information exaggerates the volatility smile