J. C. Ndogmo

J. C. Ndogmo, D. B. Ntwiga

This paper deals with a high-order accurate implicit finite-difference approach to the pricing of barrier options. In this way various types of barrier options are priced, including barrier options paying rebates, and options on dividend-paying-stocks. Moreover, the barriers may be monitored either continuously or discretely. In addition to the high-order accuracy of the scheme, and the stretching effect of the coordinate transformation, the main feature of this approach lies on a probability-based optimal determination of boundary conditions. This leads to much faster and accurate results when compared with similar pricing approaches. The strength of the present scheme is particularly demonstrated in the valuation of discretely monitored barrier options where it yields values closest to those obtained from the only semi-analytical valuation method available.

J. C. Ndogmo

For a given level of accuracy in option prices, the paper considers the problem of deciding when exactly, as one or more of the pricing parameters change, a barrier option degenerates into a simpler type of option. This problem is meaningful in the real world where option prices are always determined within a certain level of accuracy. The problem is reduced to finding certain critical values of the initial stock price, and this is achieved through a probability-based approach.