A dynamic semiparametric factor model for implied volatility string dynamics

A primary goal in modelling the implied volatility surface (IVS) for pricing and hedging aims at reducing complexity. For this purpose one fits the IVS each day and applies a principal component analysis using a functional norm. This approach, however, neglects the degenerated string structure of the implied volatility data and may result in a modelling bias. We propose a dynamic semiparametric factor model (DSFM), which approximates the IVS in a finite dimensional function space. The key feature is that we only fit in the local neighborhood of the design points. Our approach is a combination of methods from functional principal component analysis and backfitting techniques for additive models. The model is found to have an approximate 10% better performance than a sticky moneyness model. Finally, based on the DSFM, we devise a generalized vega-hedging strategy for exotic options that are priced in the local volatility framework. The generalized vega-hedging extends the usual approaches employed in the local volatility framework.