This article presents a Markov chain framework to characterize the behavior of the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX index). Two possible regimes are considered: high volatility and low volatility. The specification accounts for deviations from normality and the existence of persistence in the...

This article postulates a flexible specification for the implied volatility surface, which accounts for the existence of volatility skew and term structure. I show that it is possible to express the local volatility function in terms of the implied volatility. I then obtain an analytic formula...

Empirical evidence shows that, in equity options markets, the slope of the skew is largely independent of the volatility level. Single-factor stochastic volatility models are not flexible enough to account for the stochastic behavior of the skew. On the other hand, multifactor stochastic...

I perform a regression analysis to test two of the most famous heuristic rules existing in the literature about the behavior of the implied volatility surface. These rules are the sticky delta rule and the sticky strike rule. I present a new specification to test the sticky strike rule, which...

Outperformance options allow investors to benefit from a view on the relative performance of two underlying assets without taking any directional exposure to the evolution of the market. These structures exhibit high sensitivity to the correlation between the underlying assets and are usually...

Quanto and composite derivatives exhibit sensitivity to the volatilities of the underlying asset and the exchange rate, as well as to the correlation between the assets returns and their volatilities. This article considers a multiasset model based on Wishart processes that accounts for...

In recent years there has been a remarkable growth of volatility options. In particular, VIX options are among the most actively trading contracts at CBOE. These options exhibit upward sloping volatility skew and the shape of the skew is largely independent of the volatility level. To take into...