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Convergence of the Least Squares Monte Carlo Approach to American Option Valuation

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  • Lars Stentoft

    (School of Economics and Management, University of Aarhus, 322 University Park, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark)

Abstract

In a recent paper, Longstaff and Schwartz (2001) suggest a method to American option valuation based on simulation. The method is termed the Least Squares Monte Carlo (LSM) method, and although it has become widely used, not much is known about the properties of the estimator. This paper corrects this shortcoming using theory from the literature on seminonparametric series estimators. A central part of the LSM method is the approximation of a set of conditional expectation functions. We show that the approximations converge to the true expectation functions under general assumptions in a multiperiod, multidimensional setting. We obtain convergence rates in the two-period, multidimensional case, and we discuss the relation between the optimal rate of convergence and the properties of the conditional expectation. Furthermore, we show that the actual price estimates converge to the true price. This provides the mathematical foundation for the use of the LSM method in derivatives research.

Suggested Citation

  • Lars Stentoft, 2004. "Convergence of the Least Squares Monte Carlo Approach to American Option Valuation," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 50(9), pages 1193-1203, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:ormnsc:v:50:y:2004:i:9:p:1193-1203
    DOI: 10.1287/mnsc.1030.0155
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Longstaff, Francis A & Schwartz, Eduardo S, 2001. "Valuing American Options by Simulation: A Simple Least-Squares Approach," Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 14(1), pages 113-147.
    2. Carriere, Jacques F., 1996. "Valuation of the early-exercise price for options using simulations and nonparametric regression," Insurance: Mathematics and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 19(1), pages 19-30, December.
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    5. Manuel Moreno & Javier Navas, 2003. "On the Robustness of Least-Squares Monte Carlo (LSM) for Pricing American Derivatives," Review of Derivatives Research, Springer, vol. 6(2), pages 107-128, May.
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    7. Barraquand, Jérôme & Martineau, Didier, 1995. "Numerical Valuation of High Dimensional Multivariate American Securities," Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 30(3), pages 383-405, September.
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    12. Longstaff, Francis A & Schwartz, Eduardo S, 2001. "Valuing American Options by Simulation: A Simple Least-Squares Approach," University of California at Los Angeles, Anderson Graduate School of Management qt43n1k4jb, Anderson Graduate School of Management, UCLA.
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