Testing Derivatives Pricing Models under Higher-Order Moment Swaps

Abstract

This paper aims to test three parametric models in pricing and hedging higher-order moment swaps. Using vanilla option prices from the volatility surface of the Euro Stoxx 50 Index, the paper shows that the pricing accuracy of these models is very satisfactory under four different pricing error functions. The result is that taking a position in a third moment swap considerably improves the performance of the standard hedge of a variance swap based on a static position in the log-contract and a dynamic trading strategy. The position in the third moment swap is taken by running a Monte Carlo simulation.

Keywords: Higher-Order Moment Swaps, Log-Contract, Static Position, Variance Swaps, Volatility Surface

JEL Classification: G12, G13