Abstract: The CEV model allows volatility to change with the underlying price, capturing a basic empirical regularity very relevant for option pricing, such as the volatility smile. Nevertheless, the standard CEV solution, using the non-central chi-square approach, still presents high computational times. In this paper, the CEV option pricing formula is computed using the semiclassical approximation of Feynman's path integral. Our simulations show that the method is quite efficient and accurate compared to the standard CEV solution considering the pricing of European call options. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract: The stochastic volatility models used in the financial world are characterized, in the continuous-time case, by a set of two coupled stochastic differential equations for the underlying asset price S and volatility sigma. In addition, the correlations of the two Brownian movements that drive the stochastic dynamics are measured by the correlation parameter rho (-1 <= rho <= 1). This stochastic system is equivalent to the Fokker-Planck equation for the transition probability density of the random variables S and sigma. Solutions for the transition probability density of the Heston stochastic volatility model (Heston, 1993) were explored in Dragulescu and Yakovenko (2002), where the fundamental quantities such as the transition density itself, depend on rho in such a manner that these are divergent for the extreme limit rho = +/- 1. The same divergent behavior appears in Hagan et al. (2002), where the probability density of the SABR model was analyzed. In an option pricing context, the propagator of the bi-dimensional Black-Scholes equation was obtained in Lemmens et al. (2008) in terms of the path integrals, and in this case, the propagator diverges again for the extreme values rho = +/- 1. This paper shows that these similar divergent behaviors are due to a universal property of the stochastic volatility models in the continuum: all of them are second class constrained systems for the most extreme correlated limit rho = +/- 1. In this way, the stochastic dynamics of the rho = +/- 1 cases are different of the rho (1 <= rho <= 1) case, and it cannot be obtained as a continuous limit from the rho not equal +/- 1 regimen. This conclusion is achieved by considering the Fokker-Planck equation or the bi-dimensional Black-Scholes equation as a Euclidean quantum Schrodinger equation. Then, the analysis of the underlying classical mechanics of the quantum model, implies that stochastic volatility models at rho = +/- 1 correspond to a constrained system. To study the dynamics in an appropriate form, Dirac's method for constrained systems (Dirac, 1958, 1967) must be employed, and Dirac's analysis reveals that the constraints are second class. In order to obtain the transition probability density or the option price correctly, one must evaluate the propagator as a constrained Hamiltonian path-integral (Henneaux and Teitelboim, 1992), in a similar way to the high energy gauge theory models. In fact, for all stochastic volatility models, after integrating over momentum variables, one obtains an effective Euclidean Lagrangian path integral over the volatility alone. The role of the second class constraints is determining the underlying asset price S completely in terms of volatility, so it plays no role in the path integral. In order to examine the effect of the constraints on the dynamics for both extreme limits, the probability density function is evaluated by using semi-classical arguments, in an analogous manner to that developed in Hagan et al. (2002), for the SABR model. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract: In this paper, we want to report an interesting resonance phenomena that appears in option pricing, when the presence of arbitrage is incorporated explicitly into the Black-Scholes model. In Contreras et al. (2010), the authors after analyse empirical financial data, determines that the mispricing between the empirical and the Black-Scholes prices can be described by Heaviside type function (called an arbitrage bubble there). These bubbles are characterised by a finite time span and an amplitude which measures the price deviation from the Black-Scholes model. After that, in Contreras et al. (2010), the Black-Scholes equation is generalised to incorporates explicitly these arbitrage bubbles, which generates an interaction potential that changes the usual Black-Scholes free dynamics completely. However, an interesting phenomena appears when the amplitude of the arbitrage bubble is equal to the volatility parameter of the Black-Scholes model: in that case, the potential becomes infinite, and option pricing decrease abruptly to zero. We analyse this limit behaviour for two situations: a European and a barrier option. Also, we perform an analytic study of the propagator in each case, to understand the cause of the resonance. We think that it resonance phenomena could to help to understand the origin of certain financial crisis in the option pricing area. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract: The Black-Scholes equation can be interpreted from the point of view of quantum mechanics, as the imaginary time Schrodinger equation of a free particle. When deviations of this state of equilibrium are considered, as a product of some market imperfection, such as: Transaction cost, asymmetric information issues, short-term volatility, extreme discontinuities, or serial correlations; the classical non-arbitrage assumption of the Black-Scholes model is violated, implying a non-risk-free portfolio. From Haven (2002) [1] we know that an arbitrage environment is a necessary condition to embedding the Black-Scholes option pricing model in a more general quantum physics setting. The aim of this paper is to propose a new Black-Scholes-Schrodinger model based on the endogenous arbitrage option pricing formulation introduced by Contreras et al. (2010) [2]. Hence, we derive a more general quantum model of option pricing, that incorporates arbitrage as an external time dependent force, which has an associated potential related to the random dynamic of the underlying asset price. This new resultant model can be interpreted as a Schrodinger equation in imaginary time for a particle of mass 1/sigma(2) with a wave function in an external field force generated by the arbitrage potential. As pointed out above, this new model can be seen as a more general formulation, where the perfect market equilibrium state postulated by the Black-Scholes model represent a particular case. Finally, since the Schrodinger equation is in place, we can apply semiclassical methods, of common use in theoretical physics, to find an approximate analytical solution of the Black-Scholes equation in the presence of market imperfections, as it is the case of an arbitrage bubble. Here, as a numerical illustration of the potential of this Schrodinger equation analogy, the semiclassical approximation is performed for different arbitrage bubble forms (step, linear and parabolic) and compare with the exact solution of our general quantum model of option pricing. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.