9 The Black-Scholes Formula
In the previous chapter, we developed a general framework for derivative pricing based on the absence of arbitrage. We saw how linear pricing leads to state prices, risk-neutral probabilities, and the fundamental pricing formula. We also introduced change of numeraire methods, which allow us to compute option values as expectations under different probability measures. In this chapter, we apply these principles to derive and analyze the celebrated Black-Scholes formula for European option pricing.
A fundamental insight is that standard European options can be expressed as combinations of digital options. Understanding this connection provides both theoretical insight and practical computational advantages.
The Black-Scholes model assumes that the underlying asset pays a constant dividend yield \(q\) and has price \(S\) satisfying
\[\frac{\mathrm{d}S}{S} = (\mu - q) \mathrm{d}t + \sigma \mathrm{d}B\]
for a Brownian motion \(B\), where \(\sigma\) is assumed constant and \(\mu\) can be a quite general random process. We also assume a constant continuously-compounded risk-free rate \(r\).
9.1 Digital Options as Building Blocks
Before deriving the Black-Scholes formula, we need to understand how standard options relate to digital options. A digital option (also called binary option) has a discontinuous payoff—it pays a fixed amount if a condition is met, zero otherwise.
Two Types of Digitals
Consider a call option with strike \(K\) and maturity \(T\). Its payoff \((S_T - K)^+\) can be decomposed as:
\[(S_T - K)^+ = \mathbf{1}_{\{S_T > K\}} S_T - K \mathbf{1}_{\{S_T > K\}}\]
This reveals that a call option is the difference between two digital options:
- Share digital: Pays \(S_T\) when \(S_T > K\), zero otherwise
- Cash digital: Pays \(K\) when \(S_T > K\), zero otherwise
Similarly, a put option with payoff \((K - S_T)^+\) can be written as:
\[(K - S_T)^+ = K \mathbf{1}_{\{S_T < K\}} - \mathbf{1}_{\{S_T < K\}} S_T\]
This is \(K\) cash digitals minus share digitals, both paying when \(S_T < K\).
Why This Decomposition Matters
This decomposition is powerful because:
- Computational efficiency: Digital options have closed-form expressions involving only normal probabilities
- Theoretical insight: It connects discrete payoffs to continuous probability distributions
- Risk management: Greeks can be computed directly from the normal density function
- Generalization: The approach extends to exotic options and other underlying processes
9.2 Girsanov’s Theorem in the Black-Scholes Model
To value digital options, we need to understand how probability measures change in continuous time. When we change probability measures, a process \(B\) that was a Brownian motion cannot be expected to remain a Brownian motion under the new measure. However, Girsanov’s Theorem tells us exactly how the drift changes.
In the Black-Scholes model, the dividend-reinvested stock price follows:
\[\mathrm{d}S_t = \mu S_t \mathrm{d}t + \sigma S_t \mathrm{d}B_t\]
We can rewrite this as:
\[\mathrm{d}S_t = r S_t \mathrm{d}t + \sigma S_t \mathrm{d}\left(B_t + \frac{\mu - r}{\sigma}t\right)\]
Define \(\kappa = \frac{\mu - r}{\sigma}\), called the market price of risk or Sharpe ratio.
Important Principle
Girsanov’s Theorem: Define the exponential martingale:
\[Z_t = \exp\left(-\frac{1}{2}\kappa^2 t - \kappa B_t\right)\]
Since \(Z_T\) is lognormal, \(\mathbb{E}[Z_T] = 1\). Under the probability measure defined by:
\[\mathbb{E}^\kappa[Y] = \mathbb{E}[Z_T Y]\]
for any function \(Y\) of \(B_t\) (\(0 \leq t \leq T\)), the process \(B_t^\kappa = B_t + \kappa t\) is a Brownian motion. Moreover, if \(M_t\) is a martingale under the new measure, then \(Z_t M_t\) is a martingale under the original measure.
This theorem tells us how to construct the risk-neutral measure from the original measure. Using Ito’s lemma, we can verify that \(Z_t \frac{S_t}{R_t}\) is indeed a martingale:
\[Z_t \frac{S_t}{R_t} = S_0 \exp\left(-\frac{1}{2}(\sigma - \kappa)^2 t + (\sigma - \kappa)B_t\right)\]
Therefore:
\[\mathbb{E}\left[Z_t \frac{S_t}{R_t}\right] = S_0\]
Stock as Numeraire
When using the stock as numeraire, we need the process \(\frac{R_t}{S_t}\) to be a martingale. Following similar analysis with Girsanov’s Theorem, we find that under the stock numeraire measure:
\[\mathrm{d}S_t = (r + \sigma^2) S_t \mathrm{d}t + \sigma S_t \mathrm{d}B_t^S\]
where \(B_t^S = B_t^R - \sigma t\) is a Brownian motion under the stock numeraire measure.
9.3 Derivation of the Black-Scholes Formula
Now we apply the valuation theory from Chapter 3 (Arbitrage Pricing) and the tail probability calculations from Chapter 2 (Geometric Brownian Motion) to derive the Black-Scholes formula.
Cash Digital Options
A cash digital option paying $1 when \(S_T > K\) has value under the risk-neutral measure:
\[e^{-r(T-t)} \mathbb{E}_t^R[\mathbf{1}_{\{S_T > K\}}] = e^{-r(T-t)} \text{prob}^R(S_T > K)\]
Under the risk-neutral measure, the stock price follows:
\[\frac{\mathrm{d}S}{S} = (r - q) \mathrm{d}t + \sigma \mathrm{d}B^R\]
This means:
\[\mathrm{d}\log S = \left(r - q - \frac{\sigma^2}{2}\right) \mathrm{d}t + \sigma \mathrm{d}B^R\]
From Chapter 2, we know this has the solution:
\[S_T = S_t \exp\left(\left(r - q - \frac{\sigma^2}{2}\right)(T-t) + \sigma B_{T-t}^R\right)\]
Applying the tail probability formula from Section 7.2 with \(\alpha = r - q - \sigma^2/2\):
\[\text{prob}^R(S_T > K) = N(d_2)\]
where:
\[d_2 = \frac{\log(S_t/K) + (r - q - \frac{\sigma^2}{2})(T-t)}{\sigma\sqrt{T-t}}\]
Combining the Results
Now we can derive the Black-Scholes formula by combining our digital option results. A European call option has payoff:
\[(S_T - K)^+ = \mathbf{1}_{\{S_T > K\}} S_T - K \mathbf{1}_{\{S_T > K\}}\]
The first term is a share digital worth \(S_t \cdot \text{prob}^S(S_T > K) = S_t N(d_1)\).
The second term is \(K\) cash digitals worth \(K \cdot e^{-r(T-t)} \cdot \text{prob}^R(S_T > K) = K e^{-r(T-t)} N(d_2)\).
Since we need \(e^{-q(T-t)}\) in front of the share digital to account for dividends, the call value is:
The Black-Scholes Formula
This derivation shows how the fundamental arbitrage pricing theory leads directly to the Black-Scholes formula. The key steps were:
- Linear pricing: From Chapter 3, any security’s value is a linear combination of Arrow securities (digitals)
- Change of numeraire: Different measures give different probabilities for the same event
- Tail probabilities: From Chapter 2, we can compute \(\text{prob}(S_T > K)\) under any measure
- Girsanov’s Theorem: Provides the mathematical foundation for changing measures
Key Result
The value of a European call option is:
\[C(t, S_t) = e^{-q(T-t)} S_t N(d_1) - e^{-r(T-t)} K N(d_2)\]
where \(d_1\) and \(d_2\) are defined above and \(N(\cdot)\) is the standard normal cumulative distribution function.
For a European put option:
Key Result
\[P(t, S_t) = e^{-r(T-t)} K N(-d_2) - e^{-q(T-t)} S_t N(-d_1)\]
The call and put values satisfy put-call parity:
\[e^{-r(T-t)} K + C(t, S_t) = e^{-q(T-t)} S_t + P(t, S_t)\]
Interactive Black-Scholes Explorer
The following interactive tool allows you to explore how the Black-Scholes formula behaves as you vary the input parameters. You can see how option prices change with stock price, volatility, time to expiration, interest rates, and dividend yields.
9.4 Replication and Delta Hedging
The arbitrage pricing principle requires that we can replicate option payoffs through dynamic trading. Following Merton’s argument, we construct a portfolio holding \(\delta_t\) shares of stock and \(\alpha_t\) units of the risk-free asset, with value:
\[W_t = \alpha_t e^{rt} + \delta_t S_t\]
For continuous trading with no cash inflows or outflows:
\[\mathrm{d}W_t = \delta_t \mathrm{d}S_t + \delta_t q S_t \mathrm{d}t + \alpha_t r e^{rt} \mathrm{d}t\]
If the option value is \(C(t, S_t)\), then by Ito’s lemma:
\[\mathrm{d}C = \frac{\partial C}{\partial t} \mathrm{d}t + \frac{\partial C}{\partial S} \mathrm{d}S + \frac{1}{2} \frac{\partial^2 C}{\partial S^2} \sigma^2 S^2 \mathrm{d}t\]
Matching the stochastic terms requires:
\[\delta_t = \frac{\partial C}{\partial S}\]
This is the option’s delta—the number of shares needed to hedge the option. By no-arbitrage, \(W_t = C(t, S_t)\), leading to the fundamental partial differential equation.
9.5 The Fundamental PDE
Any European derivative with payoff \(V(S_T)\) at maturity \(T\) must satisfy:
\[r V = \frac{\partial V}{\partial t} + \frac{\partial V}{\partial S}(r - q)S + \frac{1}{2} \frac{\partial^2 V}{\partial S^2} \sigma^2 S^2\]
with boundary condition \(V(S_T, T) = V(S_T)\).
This PDE has several important interpretations:
- Risk-neutral expectation: The solution is \(V(t, S_t) = \mathbb{E}_t^R[e^{-r(T-t)} V(S_T)]\)
- Replication: The portfolio holds \(\frac{\partial V}{\partial S}\) shares and \(V - \frac{\partial V}{\partial S}S\) in cash
- Hedging condition: The drift term equals the risk-free return when perfectly hedged
The Black-Scholes formula satisfies this PDE with the appropriate boundary conditions for calls and puts.
9.6 Greeks
The sensitivities of option values to various inputs are called Greeks. From the Black-Scholes formula:
Delta (\(\delta\))
The sensitivity to stock price changes:
\[\delta_{call} = e^{-q(T-t)} N(d_1)\] \[\delta_{put} = -e^{-q(T-t)} N(-d_1)\]
Gamma (\(\Gamma\))
The rate of change of delta:
\[\Gamma = \frac{e^{-q(T-t)} n(d_1)}{S \sigma \sqrt{T-t}}\]
where \(n(\cdot)\) is the standard normal density. Gamma is the same for calls and puts.
Theta (\(\Theta\))
The time decay (using \(\partial/\partial(-T)\) so positive theta means value increases as time passes):
\[\Theta_{call} = -\frac{e^{-q(T-t)} S n(d_1) \sigma}{2\sqrt{T-t}} + q e^{-q(T-t)} S N(d_1) - r e^{-r(T-t)} K N(d_2)\]
Vega (\(\mathcal{V}\))
The sensitivity to volatility:
\[\mathcal{V} = e^{-q(T-t)} S n(d_1) \sqrt{T-t}\]
Rho (\(\rho\))
The sensitivity to interest rates:
\[\rho_{call} = (T-t) e^{-r(T-t)} K N(d_2)\]
Interactive Greeks Explorer
The Greeks measure how option prices change with respect to various parameters. The following interactive tool lets you visualize how the Greeks behave across different stock prices and parameter values.
9.7 Theta and Gamma in Delta Hedges
The relationship between theta and gamma provides deep insight into option hedging. Consider a delta-hedged portfolio (short call, long \(\delta\) shares). From the fundamental PDE and our Greeks:
\[\Theta + \frac{1}{2} \Gamma \sigma^2 S^2 = r C - (r - q) S \delta\]
In continuous time, the portfolio change is:
\[-\Theta \mathrm{d}t - \frac{1}{2} \Gamma \sigma^2 S^2 \mathrm{d}t + q \delta S \mathrm{d}t + (C - \delta S) r \mathrm{d}t\]
These terms exactly cancel—the time decay and dividends received offset losses from being short gamma and interest payments. This perfect cancellation only holds with continuous rebalancing.
With discrete rebalancing, the hedge is imperfect. The portfolio is short gamma, meaning it loses money when the stock moves significantly between rebalances. This loss is approximately:
\[\frac{1}{2} \Gamma (\Delta S)^2\]
where \(\Delta S\) is the stock price change. The hedging error increases with: - Larger gamma (near the strike at expiration) - Higher volatility - Longer time between rebalances
Discretely Rebalanced Delta Hedges
The theoretical analysis above assumes continuous rebalancing, but in practice, hedging must be done at discrete intervals. This introduces hedging error that we can analyze through simulation.
The Discrete Hedging Problem
Consider a delta hedge that is rebalanced at discrete times \(0 = t_0 < t_1 < \cdots < t_N = T\) with \(\Delta t = T/N\). Between rebalancing dates, the hedge portfolio consists of: - Short position in the option - Long \(\delta_{t_i}\) shares of stock (where \(\delta_{t_i}\) is computed at the last rebalancing date) - Cash position to finance the hedge
The key insight from the analysis in ?sec-s_deltahedging is that perfect continuous hedging relies on the relationship:
\[-\Theta \,\mathrm{d} t - \frac{1}{2}\Gamma \sigma^2S^2\,\mathrm{d} t+ q \delta S\,\mathrm{d} t+(C-\delta S)r\,\mathrm{d} t = 0\]
With discrete rebalancing, this balance is disrupted. The portfolio gains and losses come from:
- Time decay: \(-\Theta \Delta t\) (predictable, typically positive for short option)
- Gamma exposure: \(-\frac{1}{2}\Gamma (\Delta S)^2\) (stochastic losses when short gamma)
- Interest and dividends: Financing costs and dividend income
- Delta drift: Changes in delta between rebalancing dates
Simulation of Discrete Hedging
The following code simulates the performance of discretely rebalanced delta hedges:
Code
import numpy as np
from scipy.stats import norm
def blackscholes(S0, K, r, q, sig, T, call = True):
'''Calculate option price using Black-Scholes formula.'''
d1 = (np.log(S0/K) + (r -q + sig**2/2) * T)/(sig*np.sqrt(T))
d2 = d1 - sig*np.sqrt(T)
if call:
return np.exp(-q*T)*S0 * norm.cdf(d1,0,1) - K * np.exp(-r * T) * norm.cdf(d2,0, 1)
else:
return np.exp(-q*T)*S0 * (-norm.cdf(-d1,0,1)) + K * np.exp(-r * T) * norm.cdf(-d2,0, 1)
def blackscholes_delta(S0, K, r, q, sig, T, call = True):
'''Calculate option delta using Black-Scholes formula.'''
d1 = (np.log(S0/K) + (r -q + sig**2/2) * T)/(sig*np.sqrt(T))
if call:
return np.exp(-q*T)*norm.cdf(d1,0,1)
else:
return np.exp(-q*T)*norm.cdf(-d1,0,1)
def simulated_delta_hedge_profit(S0, K, r, sigma, q, T, mu, M, N, pct):
"""
Simulate profits/losses from discretely rebalanced delta hedge
Parameters:
S0: initial stock price
K: strike price
r: risk-free rate
sigma: volatility
q: dividend yield
T: time to maturity
mu: expected stock return (actual, not risk-neutral)
M: number of simulations
N: number of rebalancing periods
pct: percentile to return
"""
dt = T / N
vol_dt = sigma * np.sqrt(dt)
drift = (mu - q - 0.5 * sigma**2) * dt
discount = np.exp(r * dt)
div_factor = np.exp(q * dt) - 1
# Initial setup
call_0 = blackscholes(S0, K, r, q, sigma, T, True)
delta_0 = blackscholes_delta(S0, K, r, q, sigma, T, True)
cash_0 = call_0 - delta_0 * S0
profits = np.zeros(M)
np.random.seed(42) # For reproducible results
for i in range(M):
log_s = np.log(S0)
cash = cash_0
s = S0
delta = delta_0
# Rebalancing loop
for j in range(1, N):
# Stock price evolution
log_s += drift + vol_dt * np.random.randn()
new_s = np.exp(log_s)
# New delta for rebalancing
time_remaining = T - j * dt
new_delta = blackscholes_delta(new_s, K, r, q, sigma, time_remaining, True)
# Update cash position: interest + dividends - rebalancing cost
cash = (discount * cash +
delta * s * div_factor -
(new_delta - delta) * new_s)
s = new_s
delta = new_delta
# Final period
log_s += drift + vol_dt * np.random.randn()
final_s = np.exp(log_s)
# Final hedge value
final_hedge_value = (discount * cash +
delta * s * div_factor +
delta * final_s)
# Profit = hedge value - option payoff
option_payoff = max(final_s - K, 0)
profits[i] = final_hedge_value - option_payoff
return np.percentile(profits, pct * 100)
# Example: Hedge a call option with discrete rebalancing
S0 = 100 # Initial stock price
K = 100 # Strike price (at-the-money)
r = 0.05 # Risk-free rate
sigma = 0.2 # Volatility
q = 0.02 # Dividend yield
T = 0.25 # 3 months to maturity
mu = 0.12 # Expected stock return
print("Discrete Delta Hedging Analysis")
print("==============================")
print(f"Parameters: S0={S0}, K={K}, r={r:.2f}, σ={sigma:.2f}, q={q:.2f}, T={T}")
print(f"Expected stock return μ={mu:.2f}\\n")
# Test different rebalancing frequencies
rebalancing_frequencies = [4, 12, 52, 252] # Weekly, monthly, daily, etc.
M = 5000 # Number of simulations
print("Hedging Error Analysis (95th percentile of absolute profits):")
print("Rebalancing Frequency | Periods | 95th Percentile Error")
print("-" * 55)
for N in rebalancing_frequencies:
# Get both tails of the distribution
p95 = simulated_delta_hedge_profit(S0, K, r, sigma, q, T, mu, M, N, 0.95)
p5 = simulated_delta_hedge_profit(S0, K, r, sigma, q, T, mu, M, N, 0.05)
# Report the larger absolute error
max_error = max(abs(p95), abs(p5))
freq_name = {4: "Weekly", 12: "Monthly", 52: "Daily", 252: "Intraday"}[N]
print(f"{freq_name:<20} | {N:>7} | {max_error:>18.4f}")
print(f"\\nNote: Errors should decrease as rebalancing frequency increases.")
print(f"The Black-Scholes price is {blackscholes(S0, K, r, q, sigma, T, True):.4f}")Discrete Delta Hedging Analysis
==============================
Parameters: S0=100, K=100, r=0.05, σ=0.20, q=0.02, T=0.25
Expected stock return μ=0.12\n
Hedging Error Analysis (95th percentile of absolute profits):
Rebalancing Frequency | Periods | 95th Percentile Error
-------------------------------------------------------
Weekly | 4 | 2.8283
Monthly | 12 | 1.5545
Daily | 52 | 0.7934
Intraday | 252 | 0.3629
\nNote: Errors should decrease as rebalancing frequency increases.
The Black-Scholes price is 4.3359Understanding Hedging Errors
The simulation results illustrate several key points about discrete hedging:
Gamma is the enemy: When an option has high gamma (near expiration, near the strike), small stock moves between rebalances cause large hedging errors
Frequency matters: More frequent rebalancing reduces hedging error, but with diminishing returns and higher transaction costs
Volatility creates error: Higher realized volatility generally increases hedging errors for short gamma positions
The hedge is model-independent: Notice that the expected stock return \(\mu\) affects the distribution of stock paths but not the systematic hedging error - this confirms the model-free nature of delta hedging
Practical Implications
In practice, traders must balance: - Hedging accuracy: More frequent rebalancing reduces error - Transaction costs: Every rebalance incurs bid-ask spreads and commissions
- Market impact: Large hedging flows can move prices unfavorably
The discrete hedging analysis shows why options market makers require: - Sophisticated risk management systems for continuous monitoring - Careful consideration of gamma exposure, especially near expiration - Transaction cost models to optimize rebalancing frequency
9.8 Implied Volatilities
While all other Black-Scholes inputs are observable, volatility must be estimated. Given an option’s market price, we can invert the Black-Scholes formula to find the implied volatility—the \(\sigma\) that produces the observed price.
Implied volatilities serve several purposes:
- Price quotes: Options are often quoted in terms of implied volatility
- Relative value: Comparing implied volatilities helps identify expensive or cheap options
- Market views: Implied volatilities reflect market expectations of future volatility
The Volatility Smile
If the Black-Scholes model were perfect, all options with the same maturity would have the same implied volatility. In practice, plotting implied volatility against strike typically shows:
- Higher implied volatilities for low strikes (out-of-the-money puts)
- Lower implied volatilities near the at-the-money strike
- Slightly increasing implied volatilities for high strikes
This “volatility smile” or “smirk” indicates that market prices reflect: - Fat tails: Higher probability of extreme moves than lognormal - Negative skewness: Larger probability of extreme downward moves
The smile has been particularly pronounced for equity index options since the 1987 crash, suggesting market participants price in crash risk.
9.9 Exercises
Digital Options and Building Blocks
Exercise 9.1 Consider a cash digital option that pays $1 when \(S_T > K\) and a share digital that pays \(S_T\) when \(S_T > K\). Using Black-Scholes parameters \(S_0 = 100\), \(K = 105\), \(r = 5\%\), \(q = 2\%\), \(\sigma = 20\%\), \(T = 0.25\):
- Calculate the analytical values of both digital options using the formulas from the chapter
- Verify your results using Monte Carlo simulation with 100,000 paths
- Show that a call option can be decomposed as: \(C = S_0 N(d_1) e^{-qT} - K N(d_2) e^{-rT}\)
- Implement this decomposition and verify it matches the standard Black-Scholes formula
Exercise 9.2 The delta of a cash digital option that pays $1 when \(S_T > K\) is: \[\Delta_{\text{digital}} = \frac{e^{-rT} n(d_2)}{\sigma S \sqrt{T}}\]
where \(n(\cdot)\) is the standard normal density.
- Plot this delta against stock price for \(S \in [80, 120]\) with the parameters from the previous exercise
- Compare the magnitude of digital delta to call option delta near the strike
- Explain why delta hedging a short digital position near expiration and near the strike is problematic
- What happens to the digital delta as time to expiration approaches zero?
Change of Numeraire and Girsanov’s Theorem
Exercise 9.3 Using simulation, verify the change of numeraire formulas for digital options:
- Under the risk-neutral measure, simulate \(S_T\) following \(dS/S = (r-q)dt + \sigma dB^R\)
- Under the stock numeraire measure, simulate \(S_T\) following \(dS/S = (r-q+\sigma^2)dt + \sigma dB^S\)
- Calculate \(\mathbb{E}^R[e^{-rT} \mathbf{1}_{\{S_T > K\}}]\) and \(S_0 \mathbb{E}^S[\mathbf{1}_{\{S_T > K\}}/S_T]\)
- Verify both give the same digital option value up to simulation error
- Use 50,000 simulation paths and report the standard errors
Exercise 9.4 Verify the exponential martingale property in Girsanov’s Theorem. With \(\kappa = (\mu - r)/\sigma\):
- Simulate paths of \(Z_t = \exp(-\frac{1}{2}\kappa^2 t - \kappa B_t)\) where \(B_t\) is standard Brownian motion
- Verify that \(\mathbb{E}[Z_T] = 1\) for various values of \(T\)
- Show that \(Z_t S_t/R_t\) is a martingale under the original measure
- Compare the distribution of \(B_t + \kappa t\) to standard Brownian motion under the new measure
Black-Scholes Formula and Properties
Exercise 9.5 Implement the complete Black-Scholes formula with all Greeks:
- Create a Python class
BlackScholesOptionthat calculates price, delta, gamma, theta, vega, and rho - Include both calls and puts with proper dividend yield handling
- Verify put-call parity: \(C - P = S_0 e^{-qT} - K e^{-rT}\)
- Test your implementation against the interactive Black-Scholes explorer values
Exercise 9.6 Analyze the limiting behavior of the Black-Scholes formula:
- Show that as \(T \to 0\), the call value approaches \(\max(S_0 - K, 0)\)
- Show that as \(\sigma \to 0\), the formula approaches the deterministic payoff present value
- What happens to call and put values as \(\sigma \to \infty\)? Explain intuitively.
- Analyze the behavior as \(r \to 0\) and as \(r \to \infty\)
Exercise 9.7 Using the interactive Black-Scholes explorer or your own implementation:
- For an at-the-money option, plot call value against volatility for \(\sigma \in [0.1, 1.0]\)
- Repeat for options that are 10% in-the-money and 10% out-of-the-money
- For which moneyness is the option price most sensitive to volatility changes?
- Explain this pattern in terms of the option’s probability of finishing in-the-money
Greeks and Risk Management
Exercise 9.8 Create comprehensive plots of the Greeks using the interactive Greeks explorer as reference:
- Plot delta, gamma, theta, vega, and rho against stock price for an at-the-money option
- Repeat for different times to expiration: 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year
- Identify where gamma is maximized and explain why this matters for hedging
- Show how theta changes as expiration approaches and explain the time decay acceleration
Exercise 9.9 Consider delta and gamma hedging a short call option using the underlying and a put with the same strike and maturity:
- Derive the positions in stock and put needed for a delta-gamma neutral portfolio
- Show that this hedge never needs adjustment (relate to put-call parity)
- Implement this strategy and compare hedging errors to delta-only hedging
- What are the practical limitations of this “perfect” hedge?
Exercise 9.10 Calculate the Greeks for exotic payoffs:
- For a derivative paying \(S_T^2\), find the value, delta, and gamma using risk-neutral valuation
- For a derivative paying \(\log(S_T)\), repeat the calculation
- Verify both satisfy the fundamental PDE: \(rV = \frac{\partial V}{\partial t} + (r-q)S\frac{\partial V}{\partial S} + \frac{1}{2}\sigma^2 S^2 \frac{\partial^2 V}{\partial S^2}\)
- Compare the hedging difficulty (gamma exposure) of these payoffs to standard options
Discrete Hedging and Practical Implementation
Exercise 9.11 Extend the discrete hedging simulation from the chapter:
- Compare hedging errors for different rebalancing frequencies: daily, weekly, monthly
- Analyze how hedging errors scale with volatility and time to expiration
- Study the impact of transaction costs: assume 0.1% bid-ask spread on each rebalance
- Find the optimal rebalancing frequency that minimizes total cost (hedging error + transaction costs)
Exercise 9.12 Implement synthetic portfolio insurance using the discrete hedging framework:
- Create a protective put position (\(\max(K, S_T)\)) using dynamic hedging
- The delta of the protective put is \(1 + \Delta_{\text{put}} = N(d_1)\)
- Compare the final portfolio values to buying an actual put option
- Analyze performance during high volatility periods vs. low volatility periods
Exercise 9.13 Analyze the gamma scalping strategy:
- Show that a delta-hedged short option position has P&L approximately equal to \(-\frac{1}{2}\Gamma(\Delta S)^2\)
- Simulate this P&L for different realized volatilities vs. implied volatility
- Demonstrate that selling options when implied volatility > realized volatility is profitable
- Account for the theta decay and show the complete P&L attribution
Implied Volatility and Market Practice
Exercise 9.14 Implement an implied volatility calculator:
- Use numerical methods (bisection or Newton-Raphson) to invert the Black-Scholes formula
- Test with market-like option prices and verify convergence
- Handle edge cases: very deep ITM/OTM options, very short/long expirations
- Compare computational efficiency of different numerical methods
Exercise 9.15 Analyze volatility smile patterns:
- Using hypothetical option prices, construct a volatility smile curve
- Fit different smile models: quadratic, cubic, SVI (Stochastic Volatility Inspired)
- Analyze how the smile changes with time to expiration
- Explain the economic interpretation of smile skew and convexity
Exercise 9.16 Explore Black-Scholes model limitations:
- Generate stock paths with jumps (Merton jump-diffusion model) and price options using Black-Scholes
- Generate paths with stochastic volatility and analyze pricing errors
- Create scenarios where the model significantly misprices options
- Propose practical adjustments traders might make to account for these limitations
Advanced Applications
Exercise 9.17 Analyze the impact of discrete dividends on American call options:
- Price a call option on a stock paying a discrete dividend before expiration
- Show when early exercise might be optimal (just before ex-dividend date)
- Compare American and European call values in this setting
- Implement the discrete dividend adjustment to the Black-Scholes formula
Exercise 9.18 Price an option on the maximum of two assets using change of numeraire:
- For payoff \(\max(S_1(T), S_2(T), K)\), set up the Monte Carlo pricing framework
- Experiment with different correlation levels between the assets
- Compare this “rainbow” option value to individual options on each asset
- Analyze which asset should be used as numeraire for variance reduction
9.10 Summary
The Black-Scholes model combines the theoretical foundations of arbitrage pricing with practical implementation:
- Change of numeraire: Digital options under different measures give the formula
- Replication: Delta hedging shows how to replicate option payoffs
- Fundamental PDE: All derivatives satisfy the same partial differential equation
- Greeks: Sensitivities guide risk management and hedging
- Market practice: Implied volatilities reveal market expectations and model limitations
The model’s elegance lies in showing that, under its assumptions, options can be perfectly hedged through dynamic trading. While real markets violate these assumptions, the Black-Scholes framework remains the foundation for understanding option pricing and hedging.