A tale of two option markets: Pricing kernels and volatility risk

Zhaogang Song and Dacheng Xiu

Journal of Econometrics, 2016, vol. 190, issue 1, 176-196

Abstract: Using both S&P 500 option and recently introduced VIX option prices, we study pricing kernels and their dependence on multiple volatility factors. We first propose nonparametric estimates of marginal pricing kernels, conditional on the VIX and the slope of the variance swap term structure. Our estimates highlight the state-dependence nature of the pricing kernels. In particular, conditioning on volatility factors, the pricing kernel of market returns exhibit a downward sloping shape up to the extreme end of the right tail. Moreover, the volatility pricing kernel features a striking U-shape, implying that investors have high marginal utility in both high and low volatility states. This finding on the volatility pricing kernel presents a new empirical challenge to both existing equilibrium and reduced-form asset pricing models of volatility risk. Finally, using a full-fledged parametric model, we recover the joint pricing kernel, which is not otherwise identifiable.

Keywords: Multi-factor volatility model; Pricing kernel; Variance swaps; VIX options (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: G12 G13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (48)

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Related works:
Working Paper: A Tale of Two Option Markets: Pricing Kernels and Volatility Risk (2014)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:econom:v:190:y:2016:i:1:p:176-196

DOI: 10.1016/j.jeconom.2015.06.024

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