Due to their short lifespans and migrating moneyness, options are notoriously difficult to study with the factor models commonly used to analyze the risk-return tradeoff in other asset classes. In-trumented principal components analysis (IPCA) solves this problem by tracking contracts in terms...

We present a new finding that the return autocorrelation of underlying stock is an important determinant of expected equity option returns. Using an extended Black-Scholes model incorporating the presence of stock return autocorrelation, we show that expected returns of both call and put options...

This paper presents a tractable dynamic equilibrium model of stock return extrapolation in the presence of stochastic volatility. In the model, consistent with survey evidence, following positive (negative) stock returns, investors expect future returns to be higher (lower) but also less (more)...

This paper studies the factor structure of the cross-section of delta-hedged equity option returns. We find that a four-factor model explains the cross-section and time-series of equity option returns. Out of the four factors, three are characteristic based factors from the long-short option...

We study the predictive power of option-implied moment risk premia embedded in theconventional variance risk premium. We find that while the second moment risk premiumpredicts market returns in short horizons with positive coefficients, the third (fourth)moment risk premium predicts market...

In the data, out-of-the-money (OTM) S&P 500 call and put options both have puzzling low average returns. Existing studies relate these results to models with non-standard preferences. We argue that the low returns on OTM index options are primarily due to the pricing of market volatility risk....

In this paper, we combine modern portfolio theory and option pricing theory so that a trader who takes a position in a European option contract and the underlying assets can construct an optimal portfolio such that at the moment of the contract's maturity the contract is perfectly hedged. We...

We uncover new return predictability in the cross-section of delta-hedged equity options. Expected returns of writing delta-hedged calls are negatively correlated with current stock price, firm profit margin and profitability, but positively correlated with firm cash holding, cash flow variance,...

This paper studies the effects of default risk on equity option returns. We show that there is a cross-sectional and a time-series relation between default risk and option returns. In the cross-section, expected delta-hedged equity option returns have a negative relation with default risk...

This paper studies the returns from investing in index options. Previous research documents significant average option returns, large CAPM alphas, and high Sharpe ratios, and concludes that put options are mispriced. We propose an alternative approach to evaluate the significance of option...