On Improving the Least Squares Monte Carlo Option Valuation Method
36 Pages Posted: 5 Feb 2008 Last revised: 10 May 2018
Date Written: January 1, 2008
Abstract
This paper studies various possible approaches to improving the least squares Monte Carlo option valuation method. We test different regression algorithms and suggest a variation to estimating the option continuation value, which can reduce the execution time of the algorithm by one third. We test the choice of varying polynomial families with different number of basis functions. We compare several variance reduction techniques, and find that using low discrepancy sequences can improve the accuracy up to four times. We also extend our analysis to compound and mutually exclusive options. For the latter, we propose an improved algorithm which is faster and more accurate.
Keywords: American options, real options, simulation, quasi Monte-Carlo methods
JEL Classification: D81, G13, G31
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation