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Test of recent advances in extracting information from option prices

Author

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  • Healy, J.V.
  • Gregoriou, A.
  • Hudson, R.

Abstract

A large literature exists on techniques for extracting probability distributions for future asset prices from option prices. No definitive method has been developed however. The parametric ‘mixture of normals’, and non-parametric ‘smoothed implied volatility’ methods remain the most widespread approaches. These though are subject to estimation errors due to discretization, truncation, and noise. Recently, several authors have derived ‘model free’ formulae for computing the moments of the risk neutral density (RND) directly from option prices, without first estimating the full density. The accuracy of these formulae is studied here for the first time. The Black-Scholes formula is used to generate option prices, and error curves for the first 4 moments of the RND are computed using the ‘model-free’ formulae. It is found that, in practice, the formulae are prone to large and economically significant errors, because they contain definite integrals that can only be solved numerically. We show that without mathematically equivalent expressions with analytical solutions the formulae are difficult to deploy effectively in practice.

Suggested Citation

  • Healy, J.V. & Gregoriou, A. & Hudson, R., 2018. "Test of recent advances in extracting information from option prices," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 292-302.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finana:v:56:y:2018:i:c:p:292-302
    DOI: 10.1016/j.irfa.2017.09.011
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Option pricing; Risk neutral moments; Risk neutral density; Analytical solutions;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods: General
    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates

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