A contract that gives the owner the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a security at a fixed price in the future.
9
votes
2answers
2k views
How to derive the implied probability distribution from B-S volatilities?
The general problem I have is visualization of the implied distribution of returns of a currency pair.
I usually use QQplots for historical returns, so for example versus the normal distribution:
...
12
votes
6answers
666 views
Setting the r in put-call parity?
Put-call parity is given by $C + Ke^{-r(T-t)} = P + S$.
The variables $C$, $P$ and $S$ are directly observable in the market place. $T-t$ follows by the contract specification.
The variable $r$ is ...
10
votes
3answers
1k views
Is there an all Java options-pricing library (preferably open source) besides jquantlib?
I am looking for an all-java implementation of black scholes, preferably open source. I found jquantlib and quantlib (C++). Any other recommendations?
The jquantlib site seems to be down.
I'd prefer ...
9
votes
1answer
665 views
Is there a popular curve fitting formula of options skew vs strike price or vs Delta?
I was trying to build a options trading/optimization system. But it often gets more inaccurate as it scans through the far from ATM options because, you know, options skews.
That is because I did ...
7
votes
2answers
646 views
How to calculate the most realistic historical option prices with additional publicly available parameters
This is a follow up question of this one.
My aim is to create the most realistic historical option prices possible with publicly available data. I want to do this for backtesting purposes.
The ...
15
votes
6answers
5k views
What are some useful approximations to the Black-Scholes formula?
Let the Black-Scholes formula be defined as the function $f(S, X, T, r, v)$.
I'm curious about functions that are computationally simpler than the Black-Scholes that yields results that approximate ...
23
votes
8answers
1k views
Option pricing before Black-Scholes
According to the Wikipedia article,
Contracts similar to options are believed to have been used since ancient times.
In London, puts and "refusals" (calls) first became well-known trading ...
5
votes
2answers
582 views
Constructing an approximation of the S&P 500 volatility smile with publicly available data
Besides of the VIX there is another vol datum publicly available for the S&P 500: the SKEW.
Do you know a procedure with which one can extrapolate other implied vols of the S&P 500 smile with ...
7
votes
2answers
1k views
Are there comprehensive analyses of theta decay in weekly options?
Are there comprehensive analyses of how much theta a weekly options loses in a day, per day?
I know what the shape of theta decay looks like, in theory, where the decay towards zero happens more ...
5
votes
2answers
798 views
How to extrapolate implied volatility for out of the money options?
Estimation of model-free implied volatility is highly dependent upon the extrapolation procedure for non-traded options at extreme out-of-the-money points.
Jiang and Tian (2007) propose that the ...
10
votes
7answers
2k views
Why does implied volatility show an inverse relation with strike price when examining option chains?
When looking at option chains, I often notice that the (broker calculated) implied volatility has an inverse relation to the strike price. This seems true both for calls and puts.
As a current ...
8
votes
2answers
594 views
How does volatility affect the price of binary options?
In theory, how should volatility affect the price of a binary option? A typical out the money option has more extrinsic value and therefore volatility plays a much more noticeable factor. Now let's ...
4
votes
1answer
338 views
How to apply quasi-Monte Carlo to path-dependent options?
Following up on my recent question on variance reduction in a Cox-Ingersoll-Ross Monte Carlo simulation, I would like to learn more about using a quasi-random sequence, such as Sobol or Niederreiter, ...
3
votes
2answers
326 views
Hedgefund-like behavior for covered call selling account?
I make money selling covered calls on FX spot options, and some of my
friends want to buy in to this without having to trade their own
accounts.
One method is for each of them to get an account, ...
1
vote
1answer
258 views
Calculating Theta assuming other variables remain the same
Is there any way to calculate theta at X day in future based solely on knowing
1) Total Current Option Price
2) Days Till Expiration
How would this be done? Thank you
5
votes
2answers
242 views
What changes to put-call parity are necessary when evaluating american options on non-dividend paying assets?
If an underlying doesn't pay dividends (for our purpose defined as any distribution to the underlying's holder) directly or indirectly (e.g. options on futures) how does put-call parity change from ...
4
votes
2answers
436 views
Heuristics for calculating theoretical probabilities of being ITM at time T for listed options
I'm looking for a heuristic way to calculate the probabilities of being in the money at expiry for non-defined risk options combinations (listed options).
I use delta as a proxy for this probability ...
0
votes
0answers
135 views
Option vs Equity market-making strategies? [closed]
I need to implement a few "strategies" for a university project I am doing. The emphasis of the project is not on the strategies, but the technical (programming) means by which they are implemented.
...
-1
votes
2answers
183 views
What is the Benefit of holding a short option?
i am new to corporate finance and ask myself why a investor is interested in being short on a Option? The only he can win is a premium but he can loose much more. I understand with being a short I can ...
