On nonlinear ill-posed inverse problems with applications to pricing of defaultable bonds and option pricing

This paper considers the estimation of an unknown function h that can be characterized as a solution to a nonlinear operator equation mapping between two infinite dimensional Hilbert spaces. The nonlinear operator is unknown but can be consistently estimated, and its inverse is discontinuous, rendering the problem ill-posed. We establish the consistency for the class of estimators that are regularized using general lower semicompact penalty functions. We derive the optimal convergence rates of the estimators under the Hilbert scale norms. We apply our results to two important problems in economics and finance: (1) estimating the parameters of the pricing kernel of defaultable bonds; (2) recovering the volatility surface implied by option prices allowing for measurement error in the option prices and numerical error in the computation of the operator. The first anther was supported by US National Science Foundation (Grant No. SES-0631613) and the Cowles Foundation for Research in Economics     

Numerical solution of European call option with dividends and variable volatility

In this paper, the effect of strike price, interest rate, dividends and maturities on European call option with dividends is discussed. The volatility for the data of ONGC Ltd. listed in National Stock Exchange, India, during 03-01-2000 to 30-03-2009 is forecasted by GJR-GARCH method. The option price and Greeks are determined by solving modified Black-Scholes partial differential equation by adjusting forecasted volatility at each grid point of finite difference method. It is observed that call option premium decreases as strike price and dividend increases but it increases as rate of interest and time of maturities increases. Hence call option is more profitable for a long maturity, high interest rate and low dividend.     

Markov and semi-Markov option pricing models with arbitrage possibility

The aim of this paper is the presentation of new models for option pricing that are discrete in time and in the framework of Markov and semi-Markov processes as an alternative to the classical Cox–Rubinstein model, and that also allow the possibility of arbitrage. Both cases of European and American options are considered and possible extensions are given. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

AN OPTION PRICING PROBLEM WITH THEUNDERLYING STOCK PAY1NG DIVIDENDS~

In this paper, a pricing problem of European call options is considered, wbete the underlying stock generates dividends d, at some fixed future dates T, before the expiration date T .without the inappropriate assumption made in that the dlvkdeMs being payed continously.The arbitrage free pricing of the option is determined via a series of partial differential equations.which is derived at the view point of backward s‘tochasric differential ertuation (BBDE). It isshowed how the dividends affect the fair price of the call options. Some simulating results are alsogiven to illust rate the respective in fluence of parameters a.T.r,K.di and F1 on the option pricing.     

A variational inequality arising from European option pricing with transaction costs

In this paper we present a method which can transform a variational inequality with gradient constraints into a usual two obstacles problem in one dimensional case.The prototype of the problem is a parabolic variational inequality with the constraints of two first order differential inequalities arising from a two-dimensional model of European call option pricing with transaction costs.We obtain the monotonicity and smoothness of two free boundaries.     

On convergence of a semi-analytical method for American option pricing

We examine the valuation of American put options by a semi-analytical method, and obtain the prior estimate and the convergence of the approximate solution. Our proofs are based on the embedding theorem in Sobolev space and the theory of functional analysis, in particular, the theory of weak compactness. The results in this paper theoretically confirm empirical observations that these methods are accurate and computationally efficient.     

Asymptotic expansion for pricing options for a mean-reverting asset with multiscale stochastic volatility

This work investigates the valuation of options when the underlying asset follows a mean-reverting log-normal process with a stochastic volatility that is driven by two stochastic processes with one persistent factor and one fast mean-reverting factor. Semi-analytical pricing formulas for European options are derived by means of multiscale asymptotic techniques. Numerical examples demonstrate the use of the model and the quality of the numerical scheme.     

An inverse problem of determining the implied volatility in option pricing

In the Black-Scholes world there is the important quantity of volatility which cannot be observed directly but has a major impact on the option value. In practice, traders usually work with what is known as implied volatility which is implied by option prices observed in the market. In this paper, we use an optimal control framework to discuss an inverse problem of determining the implied volatility when the average option premium, namely the average value of option premium corresponding with a fixed strike price and all possible maturities from the current time to a chosen future time, is known. The issue is converted into a terminal control problem by Green function method. The existence and uniqueness of the minimum of the control functional are addressed by the optimal control method, and the necessary condition which must be satisfied by the minimum is also given. The results obtained in the paper may be useful for those who engage in risk management or volatility trading.     

FFT based option pricing under a mean reverting process with stochastic volatility and jumps

Numerous studies present strong empirical evidence that certain financial assets may exhibit mean reversion, stochastic volatility or jumps. This paper explores the valuation of European options when the underlying asset follows a mean reverting log-normal process with stochastic volatility and jumps. A closed form representation of the characteristic function of the process is derived for the computation of European option prices via the fast Fourier transform.