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The implied volatility smirk in the Chinese equity options market

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  • Yue, Tian
  • Gehricke, Sebastian A.
  • Zhang, Jin E.
  • Pan, Zheyao

Abstract

This paper analyzes the implied volatility (IV) curve of the SSE 50 ETF options, the first equity options market in mainland China. We quantify the IV curve and find it exhibits a right-skewed smirk shape, which is different to the left-skewed IV smirk shape shown in the international options markets and offshore options based on ETFs tracking large Chinese equities. Consistent with the right-skewed smirk shape, a delta-neutral option writing strategy generates higher profits from writing call options than put options. Finally, we show that the level and slope factors of the IV curve are related to investor sentiment.

Suggested Citation

  • Yue, Tian & Gehricke, Sebastian A. & Zhang, Jin E. & Pan, Zheyao, 2021. "The implied volatility smirk in the Chinese equity options market," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:pacfin:v:69:y:2021:i:c:s0927538x21001311
    DOI: 10.1016/j.pacfin.2021.101624
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    Cited by:

    1. Wei Guo & Xinfeng Ruan & Sebastian A. Gehricke & Jin E. Zhang, 2023. "Term spreads of implied volatility smirk and variance risk premium," Journal of Futures Markets, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 43(7), pages 829-857, July.
    2. Nappo, Giovanna & Marchetti, Fabio Massimo & Vagnani, Gianluca, 2023. "Traders’ heterogeneous beliefs about stock volatility and the implied volatility skew in financial options markets," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 53(C).
    3. Ni, Zhongxin & Wang, Linyu, 2023. "The predictability of skewness risk premium on stock returns: Evidence from Chinese market," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 576-594.
    4. Sudarshan Kumar & Sobhesh Kumar Agarwalla & Jayanth R. Varma & Vineet Virmani, 2023. "Harvesting the volatility smile in a large emerging market: A Dynamic Nelson–Siegel approach," Journal of Futures Markets, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 43(11), pages 1615-1644, November.
    5. Ryu, Doojin & Ryu, Doowon & Yang, Heejin, 2023. "Whose sentiment explains implied volatility change and smile?," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 55(PA).
    6. Lockwood, Jimmy & Lockwood, Larry & Miao, Hong & Ramchander, Sanjay & Yang, Dongxiao, 2022. "The information content of ETF options," Global Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 53(C).
    7. Jungah Yoon & Xinfeng Ruan & Jin E. Zhang, 2022. "VIX option‐implied volatility slope and VIX futures returns," Journal of Futures Markets, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 42(6), pages 1002-1038, June.
    8. Yue, Tian & Ruan, Xinfeng & Gehricke, Sebastian & Zhang, Jin E., 2023. "The volatility index and volatility risk premium in China," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 40-55.
    9. Pedro M. Nogueira Reis, 2022. "Determinants of Qualified Investor Sentiment during the COVID-19 Pandemic in North America, Asia, and Europe," Economies, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-20, June.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    SSE 50 ETF options; Implied volatility smirk; Option trading strategy; Investor sentiment;
    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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