SoFunction
Updated on 2025-04-12

Calculate implicit volatility using Python

Implied Volatility is a core concept in the financial field, used to describe the market's expectations of future asset price fluctuations. As an important tool for option traders and investors, the implicit volatility is inversely inferred through the option pricing model, so that the market price of the option matches the price calculated by the model. This article will introduce in detail how to calculate implicit volatility using Python and provide rich code cases to help newbies understand and master this technique.

1. Overview of implicit volatility

Implicit volatility is a volatility derived from the option pricing model, which reflects the market's expectations for future asset price fluctuations. An option is a financial derivative that gives the buyer the right to buy or sell assets at an agreed price (exercise price) at a certain point in the future, rather than an obligation. The price of an option is affected by factors such as the underlying asset price, exercise price, expiration time and volatility.

By comparing the option market price with the option pricing model and solving the volatility in reverse, the implied volatility can be obtained. Implicit volatility is often used as a tool for option traders and investors to judge market expectations for future volatility. A higher implicit volatility means that the market expects asset prices to fluctuate significantly, while a lower implicit volatility means that the market expects asset prices to fluctuate less.

It should be noted that implicit volatility is not the accurate value of predicting future volatility, but reflects the expectations and sentiment of market participants. Therefore, it may be affected by market sentiment, supply and demand relationships and other factors.

2. Black-Scholes option pricing model

The Black-Scholes option pricing model (B-S model for short) is the basis for calculating implicit volatility. The B-S model assumes that the stock price obeys geometric Brownian motion and that the volatility is constant. The model calculates the price of a call option using the following formula:

Call(S, K, r, τ, σ) = S * N(d1) - K * e^(-rτ) * N(d2)

in:

  • S is the price
  • K is the execution price
  • r is risk-free interest rate
  • τ = T - t is the remaining expiration time
  • σ is the volatility
  • N(x) is the cumulative probability density function of a standard normal distribution

The calculation formulas of d1 and d2 are:

d1 = (ln(S/K) + (r + 0.5σ^2)τ) / (σ√τ)
d2 = d1 - σ√τ

3. Use Python to calculate implicit volatility

When actually calculating the implicit volatility, we need to use iterative methods to find a volatility that matches the option price calculated by the B-S model with the actual market price, that is, the implicit volatility.

Here is a detailed step and code example that demonstrates how to calculate implicit volatility using Python.

Step 1: Import the necessary libraries

First, we need to import the necessary Python libraries, including NumPy and SciPy, etc.

import numpy as np
from scipy import stats
from  import fmin

Step 2: Define the B-S model function

Next, we define a function to calculate the option price under the B-S model.

def bsm_option_price(S, K, r, T, sigma, option_type='call'):
    """
     Calculate option prices under the B-S model
     :param S: The price of the target asset
     :param K: Exercise price
     :param r: risk-free interest rate
     :param T: Expiry time (year)
     :param sigma: Volatility
     :param option_type: option type ('call' means call option, 'put' means put option)
     :return: option price
     """
    d1 = ((S / K) + (r + 0.5 * sigma ** 2) * T) / (sigma * (T))
    d2 = d1 - sigma * (T)
    
    if option_type == 'call':
        option_price = S * (d1) - K * (-r * T) * (d2)
    elif option_type == 'put':
        option_price = K * (-r * T) * (-d2) - S * (-d1)
    
    return option_price

Step 3: Define the function to calculate the implicit volatility

Then, we define a function to calculate the implicit volatility. This function is iterated to find the volatility that makes the option price calculated by the B-S model match the actual market price.

def implied_volatility(S, K, r, T, option_price, option_type='call', precision=0.0001, max_iter=1000):
    """
     Calculate implied volatility
     :param S: The price of the target asset
     :param K: Exercise price
     :param r: risk-free interest rate
     :param T: Expiry time (year)
     :param option_price: Option market price
     :param option_type: option type ('call' means call option, 'put' means put option)
     :param precision: Accuracy requirements
     :param max_iter: Maximum number of iterations
     :return: Implicit volatility
     """
    def func(sigma):
        return bsm_option_price(S, K, r, T, sigma, option_type) - option_price
    
    sigma_init = 0.5  # Initial volatility    sigma_min, sigma_max = 0.0001, 10.0  # Volatility range    
    sigma = fmin(func, sigma_init, disp=False, xtol=precision, ftol=precision, bounds=(sigma_min, sigma_max), maxiter=max_iter)
    
    return sigma[0]

Step 4: Use examples

Finally, we use an example to demonstrate how to calculate implicit volatility.

# Sample ParametersS = 100  # The price of the target assetK = 100  # Exercise Pricer = 0.05  # Risk-free interest rateT = 1  # Expiry time (year)option_price = 10  # Options Market Priceoption_type = 'call'  # Option type (call option) 
# Calculate implicit volatilityimplied_vol = implied_volatility(S, K, r, T, option_price, option_type)
print(f"The implied volatility is: {implied_vol}")

4. Code explanation and precautions

B-S model function: bsm_option_price function calculates option prices based on the B-S model formula. The input parameters include the underlying asset price S, exercise price K, risk-free interest rate r, expiration time T, volatility sigma, and option type option_type.

Implicit volatility function: The implied_volatility function is iterated to find the volatility that makes the option price calculated by the B-S model match the actual market price. The function defines an objective function func internally, which calculates the difference between the option price and the actual market price under the B-S model.

Initial value and range: During the iteration process, we need to set an initial volatility sigma_init, as well as the ranges of volatility sigma_min and sigma_max. These parameters can be adjusted according to actual conditions.

Accuracy and iterations: The precision parameter controls the accuracy requirements of iterations, and the max_iter parameter controls the maximum number of iterations. These parameters can be adjusted as needed to balance calculation speed and accuracy.

Notes:

In actual use, input parameters (such as the underlying asset price, exercise price, risk-free interest rate, expiration time and option market price) need to be set according to actual conditions.

The calculation of implicit volatility may be affected by market sentiment, supply and demand relationships and other factors, so the calculation results are for reference only.

Option trading has high risks. Investors should fully understand and evaluate their risk tolerance before making related investments and make prudent decisions.

5. Summary

This article details how to use Python to calculate implicit volatility, including the basic principles of the B-S model, code implementation steps, and precautions. Through the study of this article, readers can master the methods of calculating implicit volatility using Python and understand the application of implicit volatility in the financial field.

Implicit volatility, as an important tool for option traders and investors, can help them better judge the market's expectations for future volatility and make smarter trading decisions. However, it should be noted that implicit volatility is not the exact value of predicting future volatility, but rather reflects the expectations and sentiment of market participants. Therefore, when making decisions using implicit volatility, multiple factors need to be considered comprehensively and risk assessment is carefully evaluated.

With the development of financial technology, Python will be more and more widely used in the financial field. Mastering the method of calculating implicit volatility in Python will lay a solid foundation for our future learning and work.

This is the end of this article about using Python to calculate implicit volatility. For more related content on Python to calculate implicit volatility, please search for my previous articles or continue browsing the related articles below. I hope everyone will support me in the future!