A quantum model of option pricing: When Black-Scholes meets Schrödinger and its semi-classical limit

The Black-Scholes equation can be interpreted from the point of view of quantum mechanics, as the imaginary time Schrödinger equation of a free particle. When deviations of this state of equilibrium are considered, as a product of some market imperfection, such as: Transaction cost, asymmetric information issues, short-term volatility, extreme discontinuities, or serial correlations; the classical non-arbitrage assumption of the Black-Scholes model is violated, implying a non-risk-free portfolio. From Haven (2002) [1] we know that an arbitrage environment is a necessary condition to embedding the Black-Scholes option pricing model in a more general quantum physics setting. The aim of this paper is to propose a new Black-Scholes-Schrödinger model based on the endogenous arbitrage option pricing formulation introduced by Contreras et al. (2010) [2]. Hence, we derive a more general quantum model of option pricing, that incorporates arbitrage as an external time dependent force, which has an associated potential related to the random dynamic of the underlying asset price. This new resultant model can be interpreted as a Schrödinger equation in imaginary time for a particle of mass 1/σ² with a wave function in an external field force generated by the arbitrage potential. As pointed out above, this new model can be seen as a more general formulation, where the perfect market equilibrium state postulated by the Black-Scholes model represent a particular case. Finally, since the Schrödinger equation is in place, we can apply semiclassical methods, of common use in theoretical physics, to find an approximate analytical solution of the Black-Scholes equation in the presence of market imperfections, as it is the case of an arbitrage bubble. Here, as a numerical illustration of the potential of this Schrödinger equation analogy, the semiclassical approximation is performed for different arbitrage bubble forms (step, linear and parabolic) and compare with the exact solution of our general quantum model of option pricing.     

On a multiple credit rating migration model with stochastic interest rate

In this paper, we explore a pricing model for corporate bond accompanied with multiple credit rating migration risk and stochastic interest rate. The bond price volatility strongly depends on potentially multiple credit rating migration and stochastic change of interest rate. A free boundary problem of partial differential equation is presented, which is the equivalent transformation of the pricing model. The existence, uniqueness, and regularity for the free boundary problem are established to guarantee the rationality of the pricing model. Due to the stochastic change of interest rate, the discontinuous coefficient in the free boundary problem depends explicitly on the time variable but is convergent as time tends to infinity. Accordingly, an auxiliary free boundary problem is constructed, whose coefficient is the convergent limit of the coefficient in the original free boundary problem. With some constraint on the risk discount rate satisfied, we prove that a unique traveling wave exists in the auxiliary free boundary problem. The inductive method is adopted to fit the multiplicity of credit rating. Then we show that the solution of the original free boundary problem converges to the traveling wave in the auxiliary free boundary problem. Returning to the pricing model with multiple credit rating migration and stochastic interest rate, we conclude that the bond price profile can be captured by a traveling wave pattern coupling with a guaranteed bond price with face value equal to one at the maturity.     

Fractional model and solution for the Black‐Scholes equation

This work presents a new model of the fractional Black‐Scholes equation by using the right fractional derivatives to model the terminal value problem. Through nondimensionalization and variable replacements, we convert the terminal value problem into an initial value problem for a fractional convection diffusion equation. Then the problem is solved by using the Fourier‐Laplace transform. The fundamental solutions of the derived initial value problem are given and simulated and display a slow anomalous diffusion in the fractional case.     

On the regularity of American options with regime-switching uncertainty

We study the regularity of the stochastic representation of the solution of a class of initial–boundary value problems related to a regime-switching diffusion. This representation is related to the value function of a finite-horizon optimal stopping problem such as the price of an American-style option in finance. We show continuity and smoothness of the value function using coupling and time-change techniques. As an application, we find the minimal payoff scenario for the holder of an American-style option in the presence of regime-switching uncertainty under the assumption that the transition rates are known to lie within level-dependent compact sets.     

Hybrid pricing in a coupled European power market with more wind power

In the European electricity market, the promotion of wind power leads to more network congestion. Zonal pricing (market coupling), which does not take the physical characteristics of transmission into account, is the most commonly used method to relieve network congestion in Europe. However, zonal pricing fails to provide adequate locational price signals regarding scarcity of energy and thus creates a large amount of unscheduled cross-border flows originating from wind-generated power. In this paper, we investigate the effects of applying a hybrid congestion management model, i.e., a nodal pricing model for one country embedded in a zonal pricing system for the rest of the market. We find that, compared to full nodal pricing, hybrid pricing fails to fully utilize all the resources in the network and some wrong price signals might be given. However, hybrid pricing still outperforms zonal pricing. The results from the study cases show that, within the area applying nodal pricing, better price signals are given; the need for re-dispatching is reduced; more congestion rent is collected domestically and the unit cost of power is reduced.     

Pricing of American lookback spread options

We find the closed form formula for the price of the perpetual American lookback spread option, whose payoff is the difference of the running maximum and minimum prices of a single asset. We solve an optimal stopping problem related to both maximum and minimum. We show that the spread option is equivalent to some fixed strike options on some domains, find the exact form of the optimal stopping region, and obtain the solution of the resulting partial differential equations. The value function is not differentiable. However, we prove the verification theorem due to the monotonicity of the maximum and minimum processes.     

两阶段免费增值商业模式中的定价优化与时序研究

免费增值商业模式在信息产品和服务当中被广泛采用。针对企业首先推出免费产品再推出付费产品以充分利用两种产品推出的时间差来提升消费者学习效应、降低消费者使用成本的情形,本文首先建立两阶段模型,求解给定系统参数情况下的付费版产品最优定价问题并给出解析解,然后通过与企业应用单阶段免费增值模式时的利润进行比较,解析地得到企业选择两阶段模式可获得较高利润的条件,最后在数值计算基础上讨论了学习效应强度对企业利润的影响,和优化学习效应强度以拓展两阶段模式适用范围的问题。本文的研究成果为拟采用免费增值商业模式的企业提供了关于产品最优定价和模式选择的决策支持。     

看涨期权契约与看跌期权契约对比分析研究

在面临相同随机市场需求的情况下,本文对期权契约中的看涨期权与看跌期权契约进行了对比分析,以期为决策者在实际采购活动中选择不同类型的期权契约时提供决策依据。通过模型建立与求解分析,本文得出了销售商接受期权契约时,契约参数需要满足的条件及相应的订购策略;并进一步得出了两种期权契约下,供应链达到协调状态时的具体条件,分析了此时契约参数对供销双方利润的影响,继而给出了两种期权契约的适用范围以及供销双方的契约选择偏好。在此基础上,本文还给出了不同期权契约下,供销双方各自利润均不低于其自身保留利润时契约参数的取值范围,并证明了两种期权契约均可有效提高销售商的利润水平。最后,本文通过算例对上述结论进行了验证。     

不同权力结构对制造商双渠道供应链的影响研究

在一个制造商和一个零售商组成的供应链中, 制造商拥有线下传统渠道及线上直销双渠道。首先根据消费者剩余理论, 构建了制造商双渠道需求函数;接着分别构建了两类Stackelberg博弈及Nash博弈三种权力结构下制造商和零售商的利润模型并对模型进行了求解;最后分析了三种不同权力结构对制造商双渠道供应链的影响。研究发现:制造商线上直销渠道价格不受三种博弈权力结构的影响;线下传统渠道零售价格、需求, 线上直销渠道需求及制造商双渠道供应链总利润不受两类Stackelberg博弈权力结构的影响;线下传统渠道零售价格及线上直销渠道需求在Nash博弈权力结构下最小, 而线下传统渠道需求及供应链总利润在Nash博弈权力结构下最大;制造商批发价格、利润及零售商利润对三种博弈权力结构较敏感, 随供应链成员自身博弈权力地位的下降而逐渐降低。     

快速均值回归随机波动率模型参数估计及应用

基于快速均值回归随机波动率模型, 研究双限期权的定价问题, 同时推导了考虑均值回归随机波动率的双限期权的定价公式。 根据金融市场中SPDR S&P 500 ETF期权的隐含波动率数据和标的资产的历史收益数据, 对快速均值回归随机波动率模型中的两个重要参数进行估计。 利用估计得到的参数以及定价公式, 对双限期权价格做了数值模拟。 数值模拟结果发现, 考虑了随机波动率之后双限期权的价格在标的资产价格偏高的时候会小于基于常数波动率模型的期权价格。