Download or read book Analysis of Option Implied Probability Distributions written by Jessica List and published by . This book was released on 2008 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This thesis empirically analyses implied risk neutral probability distributions of SMI index options. The contribution of this thesis is its data base (SMI index options), the long observation period (1999 - 2008) and its attempt to use the framework of option implied risk neutral probability distributions in the context of trading strategies. The influence of important market variables (such as the risk premium and the term structure of Swiss interest rates) on the estimated RNDs summary statistics is analysed in a regression framework accounting for heteroscedasticity and autocorrelation of the variables under consideration. It turns out that most of the analysed domestic market variables do not have a significant influence on the calculated implied RND's summary statistics and no significant international spillovers are observable. In addition, option implied moments, in particular the volatility of the implied RND, seem to be poor predictors for future moments of the SMI return distribution. Trading strategies based on option implied information are implemented. After accounting for transaction costs, some of these strategies are not only able to outperform a direct investment in the underlying, but systematically outperformed comparable trading strategies based on spot prices.