Learning How to Smile: Can Rational Learning Explain the Predictable Dynamics in the Implied Volatility Surface?

57 Pages Posted: 7 Nov 2013

See all articles by Alejandro Bernales

Alejandro Bernales

Universidad de Chile

Massimo Guidolin

Bocconi University, Dept. of Finance; Bocconi University - CAREFIN - Centre for Applied Research in Finance

Date Written: November 7, 2013

Abstract

We develop a general equilibrium asset pricing model under incomplete information and rational learning to explain the yet unexplained predictability of option prices. In our model, the fundamental dividend growth rate is unknown and subject to breaks, with time periods between breaks that follow a memory-less stochastic process. Immediately after a break there is insufficient information to price option contracts accurately. However, as new information arrives a representative Bayesian agent recursively learns about the parameters of the process followed by fundamentals. We show that learning makes beliefs time-varying in ways that induce large and dynamic risk premia in option prices and their implied volatilities. In addition, we find that learning generates different effects across option contracts with different strike prices and maturities. This induces realistic movements in the volatility surface implicit in option prices.

Keywords: option pricing, rational learning, Bayesian updating, implied volatility, predictability.

JEL Classification: D53, D83, G13

Suggested Citation

Bernales, Alejandro and Guidolin, Massimo, Learning How to Smile: Can Rational Learning Explain the Predictable Dynamics in the Implied Volatility Surface? (November 7, 2013). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2351177 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2351177

Alejandro Bernales (Contact Author)

Universidad de Chile ( email )

Diagonal Paraguay 257
Santiago
Chile

HOME PAGE: http://www.alejandrobernales.com

Massimo Guidolin

Bocconi University, Dept. of Finance ( email )

Via Roentgen, 1
2nd floor
Milan, MI 20136
Italy

Bocconi University - CAREFIN - Centre for Applied Research in Finance

Via Sarfatti 25
Milan, 20136
Italy

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
228
Abstract Views
1,309
Rank
243,361
PlumX Metrics