Calibration of a Nonlinear Feedback Option Pricing Model

Abstract

We consider an option pricing model proposed by, where the implementation of dynamic hedging strategies has a feedback impact on the price process of the underlying asset. We present numerical results showing that the smile and skewness patterns of implied volatility can actually be reproduced as a consequence of dynamical hedging. The simulations are performed using a suitable semi-implicit finite difference method.

Moreover, we perform a calibration of the nonlinear model to market data and we compare it with more popular models, such as the Black-Scholes formula, the Jump-Diffusion model and Heston’s model. In judging the alternative models, we consider the following issues: (i) the consistency of the implied structural parameters with the times-series data; (ii) out-of-sample pricing; (iii) parameter uniformity across different moneyness and maturity classes. Overall, nonlinear feedback due to hedging strategies can, at least in part, contribute to explain from a theoretical and quantitative point of view the strong pricing biases of the Black-Scholes formula, although stochastic volatility effects are more important in this regard.

Keywords: option pricing, calibration, nonlinear models, dynamic hedging, feedback effects

JEL Classification: G13, C00, C80, C61