Closed-form formulae for European options under three-factor models (Q2660490)

The author derives new closed-form valuations to European options under three-factor hybrid models that include stochastic interest rates and stochastic volatility and incorporate a nonzero covariance structure between factors. The idea is to cleverly use the empirically proven 3/2 stochastic volatility model with a time-dependent drift in which one is free to choose the moving reversion target. She improves the valuation of European options under the Heston volatility and Cox, Ingersoll, Ross interest rate model, by replacing open-form infinite series with closed-form analytic expressions. For completeness, she adds a fuller covariance structure in this setting and detail closed-form valuations for options. The inclusion of nonzero covariances amongst the factors can significantly improve option pricing by allowing for a wider variety of market behaviour. The solutions are derived by firstly formulating the price of a European call option in terms of the corresponding characteristic function of the underlying price and then determining a partial differential equation for the characteristic function. By including empirically proven models into our analysis, the options formulae could provide more realistic prices for investors and practitioners.