Option pricing in an investment risk-return setting

In this paper, we combine modern portfolio theory and option pricing theory so that a trader taking a position in a European option contract, the underlying assets, and a risk-free bond can construct an optimal portfolio while ensuring that the option is perfectly hedged at maturity. We derive both the optimal holdings in the underlying assets for the trader's optimal mean-variance portfolio and the amount of unhedged risk prior to maturity. Solutions assuming the price dynamics in the underlying assets follow a discrete binomial model, and continuous diffusions, stochastic volatility, volatility-of-volatility, and Merton's jump-diffusion model are derived.

Automated summary

This paper combines modern portfolio theory and option pricing theory to construct an optimal portfolio for a trader taking a position in a European option contract, underlying assets, and a risk-free bond. The optimal holdings in the underlying assets for the trader's mean-variance portfolio and the amount of unhedged risk prior to maturity are derived under various price dynamics models.