Title: The Risk-Neutral Distribution of Option Returns
Abstract: This is the first study on the risk-neutral distribution of option returns. We derive solutions for the risk-neutral variance, skewness, and kurtosis of call and put option returns and document several properties of these ex-ante moments. We find that the volatility, skewness, and kurtosis of both call and put returns are higher (lower) for options that are further out-of-the-money (in-the-money). The risk-neutral moments of call returns are increasing in the volatility of the underlying security, while the opposite is true for put returns. Call return moments have strong negative time-series correlation with put return moments. We find that the magnitudes of the risk-neutral and physical moments differ substantially, indicating significant option volatility, skewness, and kurtosis risk premia. The option volatility risk premium is significantly higher than the stock volatility risk premium.
Publication Year: 2017
Publication Date: 2017-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 4
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