d03nec computes average values of a continuous function of time over the remaining life of an option. It is used together with d03ndc to value options with time-dependent arguments.
The function may be called by the names: d03nec, nag_pde_dim1_blackscholes_means or nag_pde_bs_1d_means.
3Description
d03nec computes the quantities
from a given set of values phid of a continuous time-dependent function at a set of discrete points td, where is the current time and is the maturity time. Thus and are first and second order averages of over the remaining life of an option.
The function may be used in conjunction with d03ndc in order to value an option in the case where the risk-free interest rate , the continuous dividend , or the stock volatility is time-dependent and is described by values at a set of discrete times (see Section 9.2).
4References
None.
5Arguments
1: – doubleInput
On entry: the current time .
Constraint:
.
2: – doubleInput
On entry: the maturity time .
Constraint:
.
3: – IntegerInput
On entry: the number of discrete times at which is given.
Constraint:
.
4: – const doubleInput
On entry: the discrete times at which is specified.
Constraint:
.
5: – const doubleInput
On entry: must contain the value of at time , for .
6: – doubleOutput
On exit: contains the value of interpolated to , contains the first-order average and contains the second-order average , where:
7: – NagError *Input/Output
The NAG error argument (see Section 7 in the Introduction to the NAG Library CL Interface).
6Error Indicators and Warnings
NE_ALLOC_FAIL
Dynamic memory allocation failed.
See Section 3.1.2 in the Introduction to the NAG Library CL Interface for further information.
NE_BAD_PARAM
On entry, argument had an illegal value.
NE_INT
On entry, .
Constraint: .
NE_INTERNAL_ERROR
An internal error has occurred in this function. Check the function call and any array sizes. If the call is correct then please contact NAG for assistance.
See Section 7.5 in the Introduction to the NAG Library CL Interface for further information.
Unexpected failure in internal call to spline function.
NE_NO_LICENCE
Your licence key may have expired or may not have been installed correctly.
See Section 8 in the Introduction to the NAG Library CL Interface for further information.
NE_NOT_STRICTLY_INCREASING
On entry, .
Constraint: .
NE_REAL_3
On entry, , and .
Constraint: .
On entry, , and .
Constraint: .
7Accuracy
If then the error in the approximation of and is , where , for . The approximation is exact for polynomials of degree up to .
The third quantity is , and exact for linear functions.
Suppose you wish to evaluate the analytic solution of the Black–Scholes equation in the case when the risk-free interest rate is a known function of time, and is represented as a set of values at discrete times. A call to d03nec providing these values in phid produces an output array phiav suitable for use as the argument r in a subsequent call to d03ndc.
Time-dependent values of the continuous dividend and the volatility may be handled in the same way.
9.3Algorithmic Details
The ntd data points are fitted with a cubic B-spline using the function e01bac. Evaluation is then performed using e02bbc, and the definite integrals are computed using direct integration of the cubic splines in each interval. The special case of is handled by interpolating at that point.
10Example
This example demonstrates the use of the function in conjunction with d03ndc to solve the Black–Scholes equation for valuation of a -month American call option on a non-dividend-paying stock with an exercise price of $. The risk-free interest rate varies linearly with time and the stock volatility has a quadratic variation. Since these functions are integrated exactly by d03nec the solution of the Black–Scholes equation by d03ndc is also exact.
The option is valued at a range of times and stock prices.