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Price impact versus bid–ask spreads in the index option market

Author

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  • Kaeck, Andreas
  • van Kervel, Vincent
  • Seeger, Norman J.

Abstract

We investigate the puzzle of why bid–ask spreads of options are so large by focussing on the price impact component of the spread. We propose a structural vector autoregressive model for trades in the option market to analyze whether they move the underlying price and/or the underlying’s volatility. Our model captures cross-option strategies by pooling order flows across contracts after a decomposition into exposure to the underlying asset and its volatility. While our estimates confirm that S&P500 option trades indeed significantly move the underlying and the volatility, the economic magnitudes are very small. Hence, large bid–ask spreads of options remain a puzzle.

Suggested Citation

  • Kaeck, Andreas & van Kervel, Vincent & Seeger, Norman J., 2022. "Price impact versus bid–ask spreads in the index option market," Journal of Financial Markets, Elsevier, vol. 59(PA).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finmar:v:59:y:2022:i:pa:s1386418121000550
    DOI: 10.1016/j.finmar.2021.100675
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Options; Liquidity; Price impact; Informed trading;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G13 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Contingent Pricing; Futures Pricing
    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading

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