Papers
Topics
Authors
Recent
Detailed Answer
Quick Answer
Concise responses based on abstracts only
Detailed Answer
Well-researched responses based on abstracts and relevant paper content.
Custom Instructions Pro
Preferences or requirements that you'd like Emergent Mind to consider when generating responses
Gemini 2.5 Flash
Gemini 2.5 Flash 75 tok/s
Gemini 2.5 Pro 42 tok/s Pro
GPT-5 Medium 31 tok/s Pro
GPT-5 High 24 tok/s Pro
GPT-4o 98 tok/s Pro
Kimi K2 226 tok/s Pro
GPT OSS 120B 447 tok/s Pro
Claude Sonnet 4 38 tok/s Pro
2000 character limit reached

Option pricing under non-Markovian stochastic volatility models: A deep signature approach (2508.15237v1)

Published 21 Aug 2025 in q-fin.MF

Abstract: This paper studies the pricing problem in which the underlying asset follows a non-Markovian stochastic volatility model. Classical partial differential equation methods face significant challenges in this context, as the option prices depend not only on the current state, but also on the entire historical path of the process. To overcome these difficulties, we reformulate the asset dynamics as a rough stochastic differential equation and then represent the rough paths via linear or non-linear combinations of time-extended Brownian motion signatures. This representation transforms a rough stochastic differential equation to a classical stochastic differential equation, allowing the application of standard analytical tools. We propose a deep signature approach for both linear and nonlinear representations and rigorously prove the convergence of the algorithm. Numerical examples demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach for both Markovian and non-Markovian volatility models, offering a theoretically grounded and computationally efficient framework for option pricing.

List To Do Tasks Checklist Streamline Icon: https://streamlinehq.com

Collections

Sign up for free to add this paper to one or more collections.

Summary

  • The paper introduces a deep signature approach that reformulates asset dynamics using rough stochastic differential equations, enabling tractable non-Markovian option pricing.
  • It details both linear and nonlinear signature representations, with signature truncation ensuring computational feasibility and rigorous convergence proofs.
  • Numerical simulations demonstrate superior accuracy and robustness of the method compared to traditional Markovian-based pricing models.

Option Pricing under Non-Markovian Stochastic Volatility Models: A Deep Signature Approach

Introduction

In the context of mathematical finance, option pricing represents a key problem frequently solved by evaluating expectations over stochastic processes. Traditional methods assuming Markovian stochastic volatility models encounter significant difficulties when extended to non-Markovian settings where asset prices depend not only on the current state but also on historical paths. This paper proposes an innovative approach combining rough path theory and signature transforms to address this challenge. By reformulating the asset dynamics as rough stochastic differential equations (RSDEs), the method exploits signature representations to convert rough paths into more tractable classical stochastic differential equations (SDEs).

Methodology

Reformation of Asset Dynamics

The authors introduce a rough signature-based framework to model non-Markovian stochastic volatility. Specifically, the method involves transforming the original non-Markovian dynamics into an RSDE:

dXt=f(t,Xt)vtdWt+g(t,Xt)vtdBt,dX_t = f(t, X_t) v_t dW_t + g(t, X_t) v_t dB_t,

where XX and vv represent the asset price and volatility, respectively, and WW and BB are independent Brownian motions. The core challenge lies in representing the volatility process vtv_t, which is conditioned on the entire path history.

Signature Transform

The paper utilizes the concept of signature transforms, which capture path-dependent information via time-extended Brownian motion signatures. This representation transforms the RSDE into a classical SDE framework, which can be analyzed using conventional tools. By truncating infinite signature representations to finite levels, the approach becomes computationally feasible, with convergence rigorously proved for both linear and nonlinear representations.

Implementation Details

Linear Signature Representation

For linear representations, the asset dynamics are described using infinite linear combinations of the path signature coefficients. Proposition redefines the RSDE with signature truncation, yielding a classical SDE accommodating traditional mathematical finance tools like the Feynman-Kac theorem for pricing.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
class LinearSignatureModel:
    def __init__(self, coefficients, truncation_level):
        self.coefficients = coefficients
        self.truncation_level = truncation_level

    def evaluate(self, paths):
        truncated_signature = self.compute_signature(paths, self.truncation_level)
        return np.dot(self.coefficients, truncated_signature)

    def compute_signature(self, paths, level):
        # Implementation of signature computation up to the specified level

Nonlinear Signature Representation

For more complex volatility models, the paper introduces a deep nonlinear signature approach using neural networks. Unlike linear methods, this approach learns non-linear dependencies from data, capturing more intricate path dynamics.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
from tensorflow.keras.models import Sequential
from tensorflow.keras.layers import LSTM, Dense

def build_deep_signature_model(input_shape):
    model = Sequential()
    model.add(LSTM(128, input_shape=input_shape, return_sequences=True))
    model.add(LSTM(128))
    model.add(Dense(64, activation='relu'))
    model.add(Dense(1))
    return model

model = build_deep_signature_model((None, input_dim))
model.compile(optimizer='adam', loss='mse')

Numerical Results

The method's efficacy is demonstrated via numerical simulations of European option prices under various stochastic volatility models, including both Markovian (e.g., OU and mGBM models) and non-Markovian (e.g., rough Heston and rBergomi) settings. The deep nonlinear signature method notably excels in capturing complex volatility structures, reflected in accurate option pricing.

  • Markovian Models: Linear signature methods successfully recover Markovian dynamics, achieving effective convergence at reduced computational costs.
  • Non-Markovian Models: The deep nonlinear signature model offers superior accuracy, significantly outperforming linear techniques in scenarios where direct analytic solutions are unattainable.

Conclusion

This paper's deep signature approach represents a significant advancement in pricing options under non-Markovian volatility models, extending classical PDE tools to previously intractable settings. By bridging traditional stochastic calculus and modern rough path theory, it provides a versatile, tractable framework applicable to a wide range of financial models. Future research may expand on adaptive signature truncation strategies and explore real-time applications in evolving market conditions.

Ai Generate Text Spark Streamline Icon: https://streamlinehq.com

Paper Prompts

Sign up for free to create and run prompts on this paper using GPT-5.