JP Morgan quant Olivier Daviaud discusses his alternative to Greeks decomposition, exploring path dependency in P&L and implications for vanilla options. He delves into differences in options trading perspectives between market makers and buy side investors, and explores the link between option performance and volatility premium. Daviaud suggests rethinking P&L attribution for options, advocating for a new approach, and discusses portfolio analysis formula's application across asset classes and future research directions.
Olivier Daviaud proposes a new method for calculating P&L components of vanilla options, emphasizing path dependence.
Distinguishing market makers from buy-side investors in options trading prompts a new approach to performance measurement.
Deep dives
Proposal of a New Approach to Calculating P&L for Vanilla Options
The podcast episode discusses a new paper by Olivier Davio that introduces a radically different method for calculating the components of the P&L for a portfolio of vanilla options. The objective of the paper is to highlight a crucial P&L driver that can significantly impact the performance of options. By focusing on the path dependence of options performance, the paper aims to fill a gap in existing studies. This new approach also prompts a reevaluation of key questions like the fair value of options and optimal delta hedging schemes.
Different Approach for Market Makers vs. Buy Side Investors
The conversation delves into the distinction between market makers and buy side investors in options trading. While historical studies on options P&L have mainly targeted market makers, Olivier's work specifically caters to investors. The differences in traded instruments and time horizons between these two groups highlight the need for a new perspective on options performance measurement. This shift aims to provide more relevant insights for investors and address existing gaps in literature.
Advancements in P&L Attribution and Delta Hedging Strategies
The episode explores the novel P&L attribution formula developed by Olivier, which disentangles traditional Greeks-based decomposition for more meaningful insights. This formula offers a fresh perspective on understanding P&L along different dimensions, departing from conventional methods. The implications of this new framework extend to various practical applications, including P&L attribution analysis, fair value estimation, risk assessment, and delta hedging strategies. By shedding light on these aspects, the formula challenges existing practices and introduces a potential trade-off in delta hedging strategies.