Implied Volatility of Leveraged ETF Options

Tim Leung, Ronnie Sircar

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

Abstract: This paper studies the problem of understanding implied volatilities from options written on leveraged exchanged-traded funds (LETFs), with an emphasis on the relations between LETF options with different leverage ratios. We first examine from empirical data the implied volatility skews for LETF options based on the S&P 500. In order to enhance their comparison with non-leveraged ETFs, we introduce the concept of moneyness scaling and provide a new formula that links option implied volatilities between leveraged and unleveraged ETFs. Under a multiscale stochastic volatility framework, we apply asymptotic techniques to derive an approximation for both the LETF option price and implied volatility. The approximation formula reflects the role of the leverage ratio, and thus allows us to link implied volatilities of options on an ETF and its leveraged counterparts. We apply our result to quantify matches and mismatches in the level and slope of the implied volatility skews for various LETF options using data from the underlying ETF option prices. This reveals some apparent biases in the leverage implied by the market prices of different products, long and short with leverage ratios two times and three times.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)162-188
Number of pages27
JournalApplied Mathematical Finance
Volume22
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 4 2015

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Finance
  • Applied Mathematics

Keywords

  • Exchange-traded funds
  • implied volatility
  • leverage
  • moneyness scaling
  • stochastic volatility

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Implied Volatility of Leveraged ETF Options'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this