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The implied volatility smirk of commodity options

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  • Xiaolan Jia
  • Xinfeng Ruan
  • Jin E. Zhang

Abstract

This paper studies the implied volatility (IV) smirks in four commodity markets by adopting Zhang and Xiang's methodology. First, we document the term structure and dynamics of IV smirks. Overall, the commodity IV curves are negatively skewed with a positive curvature. Then we analyze the commodity and S&P 500 returns' predictability based on in‐sample and out‐of‐sample tests and find that the information embedded in IV smirks can significantly predict monthly commodity and S&P 500 returns. For example, the risk‐neutral fourth cumulant (FC) from the crude oil market outperforms all of the standard predictors in predicting the S&P 500 returns.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaolan Jia & Xinfeng Ruan & Jin E. Zhang, 2021. "The implied volatility smirk of commodity options," Journal of Futures Markets, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 41(1), pages 72-104, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jfutmk:v:41:y:2021:i:1:p:72-104
    DOI: 10.1002/fut.22161
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    Cited by:

    1. Wei Guo & Xinfeng Ruan & Sebastian A. Gehricke & Jin E. Zhang, 2023. "Term spreads of implied volatility smirk and variance risk premium," Journal of Futures Markets, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 43(7), pages 829-857, July.
    2. Connor J.A. Stuart & Sebastian A. Gehricke & Jin E. Zhang & Xinfeng Ruan, 2021. "Implied volatility smirk in the Australian dollar market," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 61(3), pages 4573-4599, September.
    3. Jia, Xiaolan & Ruan, Xinfeng & Zhang, Jin E., 2023. "Carr and Wu’s (2020) framework in the oil ETF option market," Journal of Commodity Markets, Elsevier, vol. 31(C).
    4. Jungah Yoon & Xinfeng Ruan & Jin E. Zhang, 2022. "VIX option‐implied volatility slope and VIX futures returns," Journal of Futures Markets, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 42(6), pages 1002-1038, June.

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