A SPECIFICATION TEST OF AT-THE-MONEY OPTION IMPLIED VOLATILITY: AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION

In this study we conduct a specification test of at-the-money option volatility. Results show that the implied volatility estimate recovered from the Black-Scholes European option pricing model is nearly indistinguishable from the implied volatility estimate obtained from the Barone-Adesi and Whaley's American option pricing model. This study also investigates whether the use of Black-Scholes implied volatility estimates in American put pricing model significantly affect the prediction the prediction of American put option prices. Results show that, at long as the possibility of early exercise is carefully controlled in calculation of implied volatilities prediction of American put prices is not significantly distorted. This suggests that at-the-money option implied volatility estimates are robust across option pricing model.