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Does information drive trading in option strategies?

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  • Fahlenbrach, Rüdiger
  • Sandås, Patrik

Abstract

We study trading in option strategies in the FTSE-100 index market. Trades in option strategies represent around 37% of the total number of trades and over 75% of the total trading volume in our sample. We find some evidence that order flow in volatility-sensitive option strategies contains information about future realized volatility. We do not find evidence that order flow in directionally-sensitive option strategies contains information about future returns. Overall, our evidence suggests that option strategies are used both by traders who possess non-public information about future volatility and by uninformed speculators who appear to follow unprofitable trend chasing strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Fahlenbrach, Rüdiger & Sandås, Patrik, 2010. "Does information drive trading in option strategies?," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 34(10), pages 2370-2385, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbfina:v:34:y:2010:i:10:p:2370-2385
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Yang, Heejin & Kutan, Ali M. & Ryu, Doojin, 2019. "Volatility information trading in the index options market: An intraday analysis," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 412-426.
    3. Mugwagwa, Tafadzwa & Ramiah, Vikash & Naughton, Tony & Moosa, Imad, 2012. "The efficiency of the buy-write strategy: Evidence from Australia," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 22(2), pages 305-328.
    4. Liu, Dehong & Liang, Yucong & Zhang, Lili & Lung, Peter & Ullah, Rizwan, 2021. "Implied volatility forecast and option trading strategy," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 943-954.
    5. Soniya Mohil & Reena Nayyar & Archana Patro, 2020. "When is informed trading more prevalent?—An examination of options trading around Indian M&A announcements," Journal of Futures Markets, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 40(6), pages 1011-1029, June.
    6. Choy, Siu Kai & Wei, Jason, 2012. "Option trading: Information or differences of opinion?," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 36(8), pages 2299-2322.
    7. Kaeck, Andreas & van Kervel, Vincent & Seeger, Norman J., 2022. "Price impact versus bid–ask spreads in the index option market," Journal of Financial Markets, Elsevier, vol. 59(PA).
    8. Ryu, Doojin & Yang, Heejin, 2019. "Who has volatility information in the index options market?," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 30(C), pages 266-270.
    9. Doojin Ryu & Doowon Ryu & Heejin Yang, 2021. "The impact of net buying pressure on index options prices," Journal of Futures Markets, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 41(1), pages 27-45, January.
    10. Ai Jun Hou & Lars L. Nordén, 2018. "VIX futures calendar spreads," Journal of Futures Markets, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 38(7), pages 822-838, July.
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    13. Stivers, Chris & Sun, Licheng, 2013. "Returns and option activity over the option-expiration week for S&P 100 stocks," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 37(11), pages 4226-4240.

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