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The use of option prices to assess the skewness risk premium

ABSTRACT The aims of this study are twofold. First, to determine the sign and magnitude of the skewness risk premium (SRP) in the Italian index option market using two procedures: (i) skewness swap contracts, (ii) option trading strategies consisting of positions in options and their underlying assets. Second, to investigate the term structure of the SRP for 30, 60 and 90-day maturities to provide investors with a proper time horizon for profitable skewness trading strategies. Several results are obtained. First, the SRP, defined as the difference between the physical and the risk-neutral skewness, is positive and statistically and economically significant. These findings indicate that the SRP does exist, it is positive in sign, and it can be quantified. Second, the SRP is higher in magnitude for short-term maturity (€35 for the 30-day maturity) and lower for 60-day and 90-day maturities (both about €27). Third, skewness trading strategies confirm our finding of a positive and economically significant SRP. Fourth, a strategy that sells out-of-the-money puts is more profitable for medium-term maturities compared to short-term maturities. A strategy that takes a long position on out-of-the-money calls, and a short position on out-of-the-money puts, yields a higher return, if near-term options are used.