Path-dependent volatility

Julien Guyon on path-dependent volatility models

countrypath

So far, path-dependent volatility models have drawn little attention compared with local volatility and stochastic volatility models. In this article, Julien Guyon shows they combine benefits from both and can also capture prominent historical patterns of volatility

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE ARTICLE IN FULL

Three main volatility models have been used so far in the finance industry: constant volatility, local volatility (LV) and stochastic volatility (SV). The first two models are complete: since the asset price is driven by a single Brownian motion, every payoff admits a unique self-financing replicating portfolio consisting of cash and the underlying asset. Therefore, its price is uniquely defined as the initial value of the replicating portfolio, independent of utilities or preferences. Unlike the constant volatility models, the LV model is flexible enough to fit any arbitrage-free surface of implied volatilities (henceforth, ‘smile'), but then no more flexibility is left. Calibrating to the market smile is useful when one sells an exotic option whose risk is well mitigated by trading vanilla options - then the model correctly prices the hedging instruments at inception.

Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.

To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@risk.net or view our subscription options here: http://subscriptions.risk.net/subscribe

You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@risk.net to find out more.

You need to sign in to use this feature. If you don’t have a Risk.net account, please register for a trial.

Sign in
You are currently on corporate access.

To use this feature you will need an individual account. If you have one already please sign in.

Sign in.

Alternatively you can request an individual account here