We consider an asset whose risk-neutral dynamics are described by a general class of local-stochastic volatility models and derive a family of asymptotic expansions for European-style option prices and implied volatilities. We also establish rigorous error estimates for these quantities. Our implied volatility expansions are explicit; they do not require any special functions nor do they require numerical integration. To illustrate the accuracy and versatility of our method, we implement it under four different model dynamics: constant elasticity of variance local volatility, Heston stochastic volatility, three-halves stochastic volatility, and SABR local-stochastic volatility.

We consider the Cauchy problem associated with a general parabolic partial differential equation in d dimensions. We find a family of closed-form asymptotic approximations for the unique classical solution of this equation as well as rigorous short-time error estimates. Using a boot-strapping technique, we also provide convergence results for arbitrarily large time intervals.

We propose a novel method for the analytical approximation in local volatility models with Lévy jumps. The main result is an expansion of the characteristic function in a local Lévy model, which is worked out in the Fourier space by considering the adjoint formulation of the pricing problem. Combined with standard Fourier methods, our result provides efficient and accurate pricing formulae. In the case of Gaussian jumps, we also derive an explicit approximation of the transition density of the underlying process by a heat kernel expansion: the approximation is obtained in two ways, using PIDE techniques and working in the Fourier space. Numerical tests confirm the effectiveness of the method.

No abstract

We present a simplified approach to the analytical approximation of the transition density related to a general local volatility model. The methodology is sufficiently flexible to be extended to time-dependent coefficients, multi-dimensional stochastic volatility models, degenerate parabolic PDEs related to Asian options and also to include jumps.