On the Solution of the Multi-Asset Black-Scholes Model: Correlations, Eigenvalues and Geometry

Contreras M.; Llanquihuén A.; Villena M.

Keywords: Multi-Asset Black-Scholes Equation, Wei-Norman Theorem, Correlation Matrix, Eigenvalues, Kummer Surface, Propagators

Abstract

In this paper, the multi-asset Black-Scholes model is studied in terms of the im- portance that the correlation parameter space (equivalent to an N dimensional hypercube) has in the solution of the pricing problem. It is shown that inside of this hypercube there is a surface, called the Kummer surface K Σ , where the determinant of the correlation matrix ρ is zero, so the usual formula for the propagator of the N asset Black-Scholes equation is no longer valid. Worse than that, in some regions outside this surface, the determinant of ρ becomes negative, so the usual propagator becomes complex and divergent. Thus the option pricing model is not well defined for these regions outside K Σ . On the Kummer surface instead, the rank of the ρ matrix is a variable number. By using the Wei-Norman theorem, the propagator over the variable rank surface K Σ for the general N asset case is computed. Finally, the three assets case and its implied geometry along the Kummer surface is also studied in detail.

Más información

Título de la Revista: J. Math. Finance Vol. No.4 , October 14, 2016
Volumen: 6
Número: 4
Fecha de publicación: 2016
Página de inicio: 562
Página final: 579
Idioma: English
DOI:

http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jmf.2016.64043