Option Greeks
The Greeks are a group of mathematical derivatives applied to help manage or understand portfolio risks. They include delta, gamma, theta, vega, and rho. Delta Delta is the rate of change of the option’s price attributable to a given change…
Black Model Valuation of Interest Rate Options and Swaptions
Interest Rate Options The underlying instrument in an interest rate swap is a reference interest rate. Reference rates include the Fed funds rate, LIBOR, and the rate on benchmark US Treasuries. Interest rate options are, therefore, options on forward rate…
Black Option Valuation Model
The Black options valuation model is a modified version of the BSM model used for options on underlying securities that are costless to carry, including options on futures and forward contracts. Similar to the BSM model, the Black model assumes…
Valuation of Equities and Currencies Using the Black-Scholes Model
Some underlying instruments have carry benefits. These benefits include dividends for stock options, foreign interest rates for currency options, and coupon payments for bond options. The BSM model should be adjusted to incorporate carry benefits in the option value. Let…
Components of the BSM Model
The BSM model for pricing options on a non-dividend-paying stock is given by: European Call $$ c_0= S_0N(d_1) – e^{(-rT)}KN(d_2) $$ European Put $$ p_0=e^{-rT}KN\left({-d}_2\right)-S_0N\left({-d}_1\right) $$ Where: $$ \begin{align*} d_1 &=\frac{ln{\left(\frac{S}{K}\right)}+\left(r+\frac{1}{2}\sigma^2\right)T}{\sigma\sqrt T} \\ d_2 &=d_1-\sigma\sqrt T \end{align*} $$ \(N(x)\) =…
Assumptions of the Black-Scholes-Merton Option Valuation Model
The Black-Scholes-Merton (BSM) model is an optional pricing model. Under this model, the underlying share prices evolve in continuous time and are characterized at any point in time by a continuous distribution rather than a discrete distribution. The following key…
Expectations Valuation Approach
One-step Binomial Tree Since a hedged portfolio returns the risk-free rate, it can determine the initial value of a call or put. The expectations approach calculates the values of the option by taking the present value of the expected terminal…
Valuation of an Interest Rate Option
Interest rate options are options with an interest rate as the underlying. A call option on interest rates has a positive payoff when the current spot rate is greater than the exercise rate. $$ \begin{align*} \text{Call option payoff} & =\text{Notional…
Arbitrage Opportunities Involving Options
Call Option A hedging portfolio can be created by going long \(\phi\) units of the underlying asset and going short the call option such that the portfolio has an initial value of: $$ V_0=\phi S_0-c_0 $$ Where: \(S_0\) = The…
No-Arbitrage Values of Options
Valuing European Options A European option is an option that can only be exercised at expiry. Let’s consider a simple example to better illustrate the concept. Example: The Value of a European Option Consider a stock with an initial price…
