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How do US options traders “smirk” on China? Evidence from FXI options

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  • Jianhui Li
  • Sebastian A. Gehricke
  • Jin E. Zhang

Abstract

In this paper, we study the implied volatility smirk (IVS) of options written on the FXI, the Financial Times Stock Exchange/Xinhua China 50 Index exchange‐traded fund (ETF). Using the methodology of Zhang and Xiang (2008, Quant Financ, 8, pp. 263–284), we document the empirical characteristics of the level, slope, and curvature of IVS of the FXI options. We find that, on average, IVS becomes steeper and more convex as time to maturity increases. The level and curvature are usually positive, and the slope is negative. We provide evidence that the information in the quantified IV factors has some predictive power for the future monthly FXI ETF returns.

Suggested Citation

  • Jianhui Li & Sebastian A. Gehricke & Jin E. Zhang, 2019. "How do US options traders “smirk” on China? Evidence from FXI options," Journal of Futures Markets, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 39(11), pages 1450-1470, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jfutmk:v:39:y:2019:i:11:p:1450-1470
    DOI: 10.1002/fut.22005
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    Cited by:

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    2. 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.
    3. Zhu, Fangfei & Luo, Xingguo & Jin, Xuejun, 2019. "Predicting the volatility of the iShares China Large-Cap ETF: What is the role of the SSE 50 ETF?," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 57(C).
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