This paper explores the impact of volatility estimation methods on theoretical option values based upon the Black-Scholes-Merton (BSM) model. Volatility is the only input used in the BSM model that cannot be observed in the market or a priori determined in a contract. Thus, properly calculating...

We present a numerically efficient approach for machine-learning a risk-neutral measure for paths of simulated spot and option prices up to a finite horizon under convex transaction costs and convex trading constraints. This approach can then be used to implement a stochastic implied volatility...

We devise a method to circumvent the complexity that arises from the option multi-dimensionality. That is, we transform the model to make it as simple as the one-dimensional case. Furthermore, the assumption of comonotonicity and other assumptions regarding the structure of the underlying asset...

A growing literature analyzes the cross-section of single stock option returns, virtually always under the (implicit or explicit) assumption of a monotonically decreasing pricing kernel. Using option returns, we non-parametrically provide significant and robust evidence that the pricing kernel...

We overcome the limitations of the previous literature in the European options pricing. In doing so, we provide a closed-form formula that doesn't require any numerical/computational methods. The formula is as simple as the classical Black-Scholes pricing formula. In addition, we simultaneously...

This is the first paper to provide a simple, explicit formula (that doesn’t requirenumerical/computational methods) under stochastic volatility. The formulais as simple as the classical Black-Scholes pricing formula. Furthermore,this paper modifies the Black-Scholes model to make it consistent...

A credit default swap (CDS) is a financial contract in which the holder of the instrument will be compensated in the event of a loan default. When available, CDS's are used to monitor the credit risk of countries and companies. In this work we develop a closed form procedure to value a CDS in...

The main aim of this work is to price defaultable bonds. In order to achieve this goal we link first hitting densities of Brownian motion with functionals of controlled diffusions. From a practical point of view examples of diffusions with this property are: Brownian motion with linear drift,...

We provide very simple formulas for pricing both the European and American options.The existing methods of option pricing adopt strong assumptions. Furthermore, they use advanced mathematics to produce controversial pricing methods. The use of mathematically advanced models does not necessarily...

We overcome a long-standing obstacle in statistics. In doing so, we show that the distribution of the sum of log-normal variables is log-normal. Furthermore, we offer a breakthrough result in finance. In doing so, we introduce a simple, exact and explicit formula for pricing the arithmetic Asian...