Volatility Smile Explained

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhX-Hh7IZWw
[wp_ad_camp_5]

In finance, the volatility smile is a long-observed pattern in which at-the-money options tend to have lower implied volatilities than in- or out-of-the-money options. The pattern displays different characteristics for different markets and results from the probability of extreme moves

The Above video explains a plot of implied volatility (i.e., the volatility that forces the BSM model option price to equal the observed market price) against strike price. The smile is proof the model is imprecise (incorrect in some assumption); e.g., returns are not lognormally distributed

When implied volatility is plotted against strike price, the resulting graph is typically downward sloping for equity markets, or valley-shaped for currency markets. For markets where the graph is downward sloping, such as for equity options, the term “volatility skew” is often used. For other markets, such as FX options or equity index options, where the typical graph turns up at either end, the more familiar term “volatility smile” is used. For example, the implied volatility for upside (i.e. high strike) equity options is typically lower than for at-the-money equity options. However, the implied volatilities of options on foreign exchange contracts tend to rise in both the downside and upside directions. In equity markets, a small tilted smile is often observed near the money as a kink in the general downward sloping implicit volatility graph. Sometimes the term “smirk” is used to describe a skewed smile.

Chart shown above is the Volatility smile plot for Suzlon Energy Limited for both the call and put option for Aug 2010 options series