Efficient numerical methods based on integral transforms to solve option pricing problems

Philosophiae Doctor - PhDIn this thesis, we design and implement a class of numerical methods (based on integral transforms) to solve PDEs for pricing a variety of financial derivatives. Our approach is based on spectral discretization of the spatial (asset) derivatives and the use of inverse Laplace transforms to solve the resulting problem in time. The conventional spectral methods are further modified by using piecewise high order rational interpolants on the Chebyshev mesh within each sub-domain with the boundary domain placed at the strike price where the discontinuity is located. The resulting system is then solved by applying Laplace transform method through deformation of a contour integral. Firstly, we use this approach to price plain vanilla options and then extend it to price options described by a jump-diffusion model, barrier options and the Heston’s volatility model. To approximate the integral part in the jump-diffusion model, we use the Gauss-Legendre quadrature method. Finally, we carry out extensive numerical simulations to value these options and associated Greeks (the measures of sensitivity). The results presented in this thesis demonstrate the spectral accuracy and efficiency of our approach, which can therefore be considered as an alternative approach to price these class of options

Implicit-explicit predictor-corrector methods combined with improved spectral methods for pricing European style vanilla and exotic options

In this paper we present a robust numerical method to solve several types of European style option pricing problems. The governing equations are described by variants of Black-Scholes partial differential equations (BS-PDEs) of the reaction-diffusion-advection type. To discretise these BS-PDEs numerically, we use the spectral methods in the asset (spatial) direction and couple them with a third-order implicit-explicit predictor-corrector (IMEX-PC) method for the discretisation in the time direction. The use of this high-order time integration scheme sustains the better accuracy of the spectral methods for which they are well-known. Our spectral method consists of a pseudospectral formulation of the BS-PDEs by means of an improved Lagrange formula. On the other hand, in the IMEX-PC methods, we integrate the diffusion terms implicitly whereas the reaction and advection terms are integrated explicitly. Using this combined approach, we first solve the equations for standard European options and then extend this approach to digital options, butterfly spread options, and European calls in the Heston model. Numerical experiments illustrate that our approach is highly accurate and very efficient for pricing financial options such as those described above

Contour integral method for European options with jumps

We develop an efficient method for pricing European options with jump on a single asset. Our approach is based on the combination of two powerful numerical methods, the spectral domain decomposition method and the Laplace transform method. The domain decomposition method divides the original domain into sub-domains where the solution is approximated by using piecewise high order rational interpolants on a Chebyshev grid points. This set of points are suitable for the approximation of the convolution integral using Gauss–Legendre quadrature method. The resulting discrete problem is solved by the numerical inverse Laplace transform using the Bromwich contour integral approach. Through rigorous error analysis, we determine the optimal contour on which the integral is evaluated. The numerical results obtained are compared with those obtained from conventional methods such as Crank–Nicholson and finite difference. The new approach exhibits spectrally accurate results for the evaluation of options and associated Greeks. The proposed method is very efficient in the sense that we can achieve higher order accuracy on a coarse grid, whereas traditional methods would required significantly more time-steps and large number of grid points.Web of Scienc

Numerical Laplace transformation methods for integrating linear parabolic partial differential equations

Thesis (MSc (Applied Mathematics))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In recent years the Laplace inversion method has emerged as a viable alternative method for the numerical solution of PDEs. Effective methods for the numerical inversion are based on the approximation of the Bromwich integral. In this thesis, a numerical study is undertaken to compare the efficiency of the Laplace inversion method with more conventional time integrator methods. Particularly, we consider the method-of-lines based on MATLAB’s ODE15s and the Crank-Nicolson method. Our studies include an introductory chapter on the Laplace inversion method. Then we proceed with spectral methods for the space discretization where we introduce the interpolation polynomial and the concept of a differentiation matrix to approximate derivatives of a function. Next, formulas of the numerical differentiation formulas (NDFs) implemented in ODE15s, as well as the well-known second order Crank-Nicolson method, are derived. In the Laplace method, to compute the Bromwich integral, we use the trapezoidal rule over a hyperbolic contour. Enhancement to the computational efficiency of these methods include the LU as well as the Hessenberg decompositions. In order to compare the three methods, we consider two criteria: The number of linear system solves per unit of accuracy and the CPU time per unit of accuracy. The numerical results demonstrate that the new method, i.e., the Laplace inversion method, is accurate to an exponential order of convergence compared to the linear convergence rate of the ODE15s and the Crank-Nicolson methods. This exponential convergence leads to high accuracy with only a few linear system solves. Similarly, in terms of computational cost, the Laplace inversion method is more efficient than ODE15s and the Crank-Nicolson method as the results show. Finally, we apply with satisfactory results the inversion method to the axial dispersion model and the heat equation in two dimensions.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In die afgelope paar jaar het die Laplace omkeringsmetode na vore getree as ’n lewensvatbare alternatiewe metode vir die numeriese oplossing van PDVs. Effektiewe metodes vir die numeriese omkering word gebasseer op die benadering van die Bromwich integraal. In hierdie tesis word ’n numeriese studie onderneem om die effektiwiteit van die Laplace omkeringsmetode te vergelyk met meer konvensionele tydintegrasie metodes. Ons ondersoek spesifiek die metode-van-lyne, gebasseer op MATLAB se ODE15s en die Crank-Nicolson metode. Ons studies sluit in ’n inleidende hoofstuk oor die Laplace omkeringsmetode. Dan gaan ons voort met spektraalmetodes vir die ruimtelike diskretisasie, waar ons die interpolasie polinoom invoer sowel as die konsep van ’n differensiasie-matriks waarmee afgeleides van ’n funksie benader kan word. Daarna word formules vir die numeriese differensiasie formules (NDFs) ingebou in ODE15s herlei, sowel as die welbekende tweede orde Crank-Nicolson metode. Om die Bromwich integraal te benader in die Laplace metode, gebruik ons die trapesiumreël oor ’n hiperboliese kontoer. Die berekeningskoste van al hierdie metodes word verbeter met die LU sowel as die Hessenberg ontbindings. Ten einde die drie metodes te vergelyk beskou ons twee kriteria: Die aantal lineêre stelsels wat moet opgelos word per eenheid van akkuraatheid, en die sentrale prosesseringstyd per eenheid van akkuraatheid. Die numeriese resultate demonstreer dat die nuwe metode, d.i. die Laplace omkeringsmetode, akkuraat is tot ’n eksponensiële orde van konvergensie in vergelyking tot die lineêre konvergensie van ODE15s en die Crank-Nicolson metodes. Die eksponensiële konvergensie lei na hoë akkuraatheid met slegs ’n klein aantal oplossings van die lineêre stelsel. Netso, in terme van berekeningskoste is die Laplace omkeringsmetode meer effektief as ODE15s en die Crank-Nicolson metode. Laastens pas ons die omkeringsmetode toe op die aksiale dispersiemodel sowel as die hittevergelyking in twee dimensies, met bevredigende resultate