Pricing Methods for Alpha-Quantile and Perpetual Early Exercise Options Based on Spitzer Identities

Abstract

We present new numerical schemes for pricing perpetual Bermudan and American options as well as α-quantile options. This includes a new direct calculation of the optimal exercise barrier for early-exercise options. Our approach is based on the Spitzer identities for general Lèvy processes and on the Wiener-Hopf method. Our direct calculation of the price of alpha-quantile options combines for the first time the Dassios-Port-Wendel identity and the Spitzer identities for the extrema of processes. Our results show that the new pricing methods provide excellent error convergence with respect to computational time when implemented with a range of Lèvy processes.

Keywords: Lèvy processes, Spitzer identities, hindsight options, perpetual Bermudan options, perpetual American options