An Alternative Approach to the Valuation of American Options and Applications

In this paper we examine the structure of American option valuation problems and derive analytic valuation formulas under general underlying security price processes by an alternative but intuitive method. For alternative diffusion processes, we derive quot;closed formquot; analytic valuation formulas and analyze the implications of asset price dynamics on the early exercise premiums of American options. In this regard, we introduce useful and interesting diffusion processes into American option pricing literature, thus providing a wide range of choices of pricing models for various American-type derivative assets. This work offers a useful analytic framework for future empirical testing and practical applications