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The information content of ETF options

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  • Lockwood, Jimmy
  • Lockwood, Larry
  • Miao, Hong
  • Ramchander, Sanjay
  • Yang, Dongxiao

Abstract

We examine the information content of China's Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) 50 ETF options introduced in 2015. Trading volume and implied volatilities of calls versus puts differ markedly: trading volume is consistently higher for calls, and implied volatility is higher for puts. Put-call volume and implied volatility ratios are not good predictors of future SSE 50 returns. Implied volatility follows a right-skewed smirk across strike prices, indicating a tendency among option traders to turn bullish and expect the stock market to recover from the June 2015 market crash. The options market dominates the price discovery process, with an average information leadership share of 67%. Our price discovery results persist during the COVID outbreak.

Suggested Citation

  • Lockwood, Jimmy & Lockwood, Larry & Miao, Hong & Ramchander, Sanjay & Yang, Dongxiao, 2022. "The information content of ETF options," Global Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 53(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:glofin:v:53:y:2022:i:c:s1044028322000278
    DOI: 10.1016/j.gfj.2022.100725
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    SSE 50 ETF options; Price discovery; Information leadership share; Implied volatility; COVID-19;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G13 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Contingent Pricing; Futures Pricing
    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • G15 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - International Financial Markets

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