0
$\begingroup$

I always thought equity options where quoted with implied volatility, the price being given by the Black-Scholes price of the option with volatility equal to the implied volatlity.

But apparently there is another way to quote option : with reference implied vol (or reference price) and delta for an underlying at a price near the spot price. I also heard about "target price" in this context.

I cannot find any reference about this, so more more information or an explanation would be great

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
10
  • $\begingroup$ In the equity space and between different institutions, options are usually not quoted in implied volatilities. For this to work, you'd have to also quote a risk-free rate, repo rate, dividend and a measure of time-to-expiry (e.g. a day count convention) at the same time. In the OTC/broker market, options are often quoted as a price, spot reference and delta combination. The delta and spot reference determine how the price is adjusted to account for spot moves between quote and trade time. On the screen, there is not need for this as you can update your quotes all the time. $\endgroup$
    – LocalVolatility
    Nov 12, 2017 at 16:00
  • $\begingroup$ "The delta and spot reference determine how the price is adjusted to account for spot moves between quote and trade time" --> what does this mean exactly ? $\endgroup$
    – EricFlorentNoube
    Nov 12, 2017 at 16:54
  • $\begingroup$ In the broker market a quote is given on the phone or via a chat. It is usually not traded immediately but only after the broker collected a sufficient number of quotes and the client made a decision. The spot often moves between quote and trade time and the delta is used to adjust the option price to the first order. So $P_\text{traded} = P_\text{quoted} + \Delta_\text{quoted} \left( S_\text{at-trade-time} - S_\text{at-quote-time} \right)$. $\endgroup$
    – LocalVolatility
    Nov 12, 2017 at 17:05
  • $\begingroup$ So basically would a broker tell me $(\pi, \delta, S_{t_{\textrm{now}}})$, it would mean that : If buy one option now, I pay $\pi$, but if I buy later at $t$, I will pay $\pi + \left( S_t - S_{t_{\textrm{now}}} \right) \times \delta$. Of course, I guess that the broker's offer is valid while $t - t_{\textrm{now}}$ is not too big (for the $\theta$) and while $|S_t - S_{t_{\textrm{now}}}|$ is not too big also, correct ? $\endgroup$
    – EricFlorentNoube
    Nov 12, 2017 at 17:07
  • $\begingroup$ Yes - correct. You can always say "off" via the phone line or chat as well as long as your quote hasn't been traded. $\endgroup$
    – LocalVolatility
    Nov 12, 2017 at 17:09

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
1
$\begingroup$

In the equity space and between different institutions, options are usually not quoted in implied volatilities. For this to work, you'd additionally have to also quote at least a risk-free rate, forward and a measure of time-to-expiry (e.g. a day count convention) for European options. For American options, it get's even less feasible.

In the broker/OTC market, options are usually quoted as a price, spot reference and delta combination. The delta and spot reference determine how the price is adjusted to account for spot moves between quote and trade time to the first order. This is necessary as a trade usually does not happen immediately immediately but only after the broker collected a sufficient number of quotes and the initiating counterpart made a decision. Let $T_\text{quote}$ and $T_\text{trade}$ be the times of the quote and trade, respectively. The traded price is then given by

$$ P \left( T_\text{trade} \right) = P \left( T_\text{quote} \right) + \Delta \left( T_\text{quote} \right) \left[ S \left( T_\text{trade} \right) - S \left( T_\text{quote} \right) \right]. $$

Of course, you (as the one providing the quote) can always retract it while it hasn't been traded yet. E.g. when the too much time passed, the implied volatility changed or the spot price moved too much for the delta approximation to be valid.

On the screen, there is not need for this as you can update your quotes at all times.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.