Numerical Solutions of the Black-Scholes Financial Model Using the Adomian Decomposition and Power Series Collocation Methods ()
1. Introduction
1.1. Overview
In the corporate business world, Finance is one of the fastest and consistently growing area, and one of this area of finance is the Black-Scholes financial model which assumes that the price of asset in the financial market follows a geometric Brownian motion with recurring volatility and are efficient.
The Black-Scholes model is a mathematical model used to calculate the theoretical price of European options. This model has immensely influenced several fields including the field of quantitative finance and is an essential tool for investors and financial professionals.
The Black-Scholes model not only applies partial differential equations in option pricing and trading to determine the fair value of the option, but as the option approaches maturity it also considers the convergence of supply and demand. This model encloses a strategy that eliminates the directional risk related to the option position.
1.2. Problem Statement
Developed by Fischer Black and Myron Scholes in 1973 [1], the Black-Scholes model is an influential mathematical formula used to calculate the theoretical value of different types of stock. Published was the concept of the model in the paper “The Pricing of Options and Corporate Liabilities” which was later advanced by Robert Merton in the paper “Theory of Rational Options Pricing” and this model significantly changed the world of finance by providing a method to estimate the fair value of options.
In the contractual agreement of an option, the value at which the contract is settled is one of the pertinent factors to consider, because to expire the option, it signifies the price the buyer is to pay, and from the introduction of trading, the problem is to compute and come up with a model that encapsulates the current price of an asset, strike price of the option, asset’s volatility, maturity time and risk-free interest rate into consideration, and the Black-Scholes model was the first model with all of these factors.
However, different numerical methods have been used to find the numerical solution of the Black-Scholes model, and the purpose of this research is to explore mathematical methods, specifically Collocation and Decomposition method to enhance our knowledge of risk assessment in quantitative finance, option pricing and also efficiently solve the Black-Scholes financial model.
1.3. Paper Structure
The latter of this paper is structured thus: Section 2 is a review of relevant literatures on the Black-Scholes financial model, the Adomian Decomposition and Power Series Collocation methods, explicitly stating their applications, contributions and years of publication. Section 3 comprises of the system of methods, postulates, framework within which the research was conducted and foundation it was built, the step by step method of approach for solving the Black-Scholes financial model using the Decomposition and Power Series Collocation methods. Section 4 is basically the soul of this paper, it entails the result obtained using the Matlab mathematical tool to solve the Black-Scholes Financial model using the Decomposition and Power Series Collocation method, while Section 5 gives the summary of the paper based on the result obtained in Section 4.
2. Overview of Literature
Reviews of literature with the background of the Black-Scholes financial model, other numerical solutions that have been used to find the numerical solution of the model, alongside literatures regarding the Decomposition and Power Series Collocation methods will be carried out here.
The Black-Scholes (B-S) financial model, proposed by Black and Scholes (1973) [1] has over the years contributed immensely to the attention option pricing has gotten as one of the most consistently traded financial products.
Option pricing problem was transformed by Black and Scholes (1973) into the new partial differential equation PDE with variable coefficients:
And the idea behind this transformation according to Shinde and Takale (2012) [2] is the development of a safe portfolio positions in bonds, underlying stock and options. Because of the simplicity and explicit approach to the Black-Scholes model and equation, its partial differential equation PDE is applied in financial engineering to obtain the price of call options.
Amadi et al. (2020) [3] observed from the Crank-Nelson (CN) numerical solution for the evaluation of European call option and Black-Scholes analytic formula for the prices of European call option, that Black-Scholes analytical values are more accurate in terms of precision.
The Black-Scholes analytic formula for the prices of European call option as used by Amadi et al. (2020, [3]) is given below:
where
and
.
The CN discretization in tri-diagonal matrix, solvable at each steps as used by Amadi et al. (2020), [3] is given below:
where,
,
,
.
From Table 1 below, BS exact values can be seen to be the best in terms of precision of the minimum values of the exact solutions of the European call options for the parameters used as shown in the 5th column for the BS and CN analytic formula respectively.
Table 1. Comparing the result of the Black-Scholes exact values and Crank-Nicolson method for European call option with different initial stock prices S0 = 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50, r = 0.03, k = 25, T = 1 and
.
Stock Prices (S0) |
Black-Scholes |
Crank-Nicolson |
Relative Error |
Minimum Values |
30 |
6.1368 |
6.1325 |
0.0007 |
6.1325:CN |
35 |
10.8152 |
10.8148 |
0.0034 |
10.8148:CN |
40 |
15.7513 |
15.7515 |
0.000095 |
15.7513:BS |
45 |
20.7407 |
20.7409 |
0.0000096 |
20.7407:BS |
50 |
25.7391 |
25.7399 |
0.000031 |
25.7391:BS |
2.1. Adomian Decomposition and Power Series Collocation
Methods
Fatokun and Gimba (2012) [4] derived and analyzed some collocation multistep methods where numerical solution of ODEs on configuration spaces formulated as homogenous manifolds evolved. Using Lie group approach, they examined the linear multi-step collocation method in solving the differential equation:
where
are vector fields on M.
At the point:
They collated the general linear method and obtained the discrete scheme that can be adapted to homogenous spaces.
With orders ranging from 1 to 9 and using a numerical quadrature rule, Fatokun et al. (2011) [5] derived steps
of Adams-like collocation multistep method, established convergence of each derived step and showed the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed methods and provided option for continuous output where improved accuracy is obtainable by block hybrid methods for numerical derivatives.
2.2. Related Works
Iyakino and Fatokun (2015) [6] by appropriate change in variables transformed the Black-Scholes differential equation:
Subject to
, for all
as
Into the parabolic heat equation:
Subject to
,
The transformed equation was then semi-discretized by the method of lines (MOL) into a system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) numerically integrated by an L-stable trapezoidal-like integrator, the result obtained in comparison to the derived approximate theoretical solution to the transformed Black-Scholes equation:
Using Maple 15 shows that trapezoidal-like integrator is an accurate time predictor of the solution of the Black Scholes equation.
Shinde and Takale (2012) [2] applied the Black-Scholes partial differential equation and formula in (2.1) and (1.1) using Maple software, they obtain the solution of Black-Scholes equation for valuing an option, and achieved this using the Black Scholes formula for a call price C and put price P as follows:
where
and
, where
= the price of an option call,
= the price of an option put,
= Stock price
= Strike price of the option,
= risk free interest rate,
= Time in years,
= implied volatility of underlying stock,
= the standard normal cumulative distribution function,
denotes the standard normal cumulative distribution function, defined as follows:
In application, they chose the parameters as follows:
The result was examined using Maple by increasing the risk-free interest rate and volatility parameter,
, and
, and find that the call option price changes by varying the parameters.
Oyakhire et al. (2019) [7] for computing the European call options pricing problems governed by the Black-Scholes equation, developed a proposed and efficient and fast scheme algorithm and this algorithm also works with the error analysis of the result of the European call option pricing. The proposed scheme’s storage capacities and computational cost compared to Crank-Nicolson has a good performance in the sense of errors, and the accuracy of the proposed scheme mpared to the Semi-implicit scheme is also better in most cases. The proposed scheme have a second order accuracy in space and time under some restrictions, the stability of the scheme was also presented in the sense of Non-Neumann analysis.
The proposed scheme is given thus:
.
Using the proposed scheme above, numerical results were gotten using Matlab software, for the first example, European call options with the following parameters was considered for the simulation:
Set price (S) = 100, Strike price (k) = 100, Time (t) = time, Volatility of asset price (σ)= 0.2, risk free interest rate (r) = 0.05, continuous dividend yield (q) = 0.03, with a reference value of 6.029259.
Table 2. Below is the value obtained using the proposed scheme with fixed time steps size M and varying number of spatial grids N.
Time Step (M) |
Spatial Steps (N) |
Value |
Error |
1200 |
128 |
6.069953 |
0.040484 |
1200 |
256 |
6.047513 |
0.017784 |
1200 |
512 |
6.026426 |
0.003103 |
1200 |
1024 |
6.02884 |
0.000725 |
Using the proposed scheme, the values in Table 2 above was gotten, and it is seen that with fixed time steps, the error of the values of the scheme decreases with decrease in spatial steps [7].
3. Methodology
This section discusses the Black-Scholes partial differential equation and a step by step method of solution of the PDE using the Decomposition and Power Series Collocation mathematical methods.
3.1. Black-Scholes Equation
Black and Scholes (1973) transformed option pricing into the new partial differential equation with variable coefficients whose essence is the introduction of a safe portfolio positions in underlying stock, options and bonds. The Black-Scholes partial differential equation has been applied in various fields, including financial engineering to obtain the price option calls because of its simplicity and explicit approach.
As earlier established, the Black-Scholes partial differential equation is one for modelling the price of financial options and calculating the value of options considering factors like the option strike price, volatility, underlying asset price, time to expiration and risk-free interest rate, as given below:
And it’s important to note that the Black-Scholes formula:
where the cumulative normal distribution function is denoted by
evaluated at
and
where
and
are given below:
Is a solution to the partial differential equation above, where
= Option price,
= Stock price,
= Strike price of the option,
= Volatility,
= Maturity time,
= Risk free interest rate,
= Time in years. One of the methods of solution we shall be using to solve the Black-Scholes partial differential equation is the Adomian Decomposition method [8].
3.2. Adomian Decomposition Method of Solution
Developed from early 1970s to the late 1990s by George Adomian, this method is centered on decomposing complex nonlinear equation into a series or systems of simpler sub equations. Each iteration in Adomian method involves solving simpler non-linear or linear equations and summing the solutions to obtain an approximate solution.
Below is the step by step method of solution for the power series collocation method, the approach is as follows:
Step 1:
Consider the Black Scholes Partial differential equation:
with the terminal condition:
For a call option and,
For a put option.
Step 2:
Express the Black-Scholes PDE in ADM operator form, we have:
where
, and its inverse;
.
And
while
.
Step 3:
Take
of both side of the Black-Scholes PDE in ADM operator form, we have:
But,
.
The equation becomes:
Step 4:
We assume a solution in the form of an infinite series for the unknown function
and substitute the series:
We’ll have:
Each term of the approximation is then represented by:
We’ll substitute
,
and
:
where
.
An approximation for the solution of the PDE is given by the partial sum:
3.3. Power Series Collocation Method of Solution
The power series collocation method is a numerical method that dates from the late 19th century to early 20th century. Carl David Tolmé Runge developed the collocation method in his effort to improving the numerical methods for ordinary and partial differential equations. This method stretches from several centuries and involves contributions of various scientists and scholars in the field of Mathematics and has been applied in Physics, Engineering among others fields with different types of differential equation.
The basic technique behind the power series collocation method is to choose a finite, say n-dimensional space called collocation points within the domain (i.e. boundary value condition and initial value condition) in consideration, and ensure the solution satisfies the ordinary or partial differential equation at these points.
Below is the step by step method of solution for the power series collocation method, the approach is as follows:
Step 1:
Consider the Black Scholes PDE:
Worthy of note is that the Black-Scholes PDE has two variables, t (time to maturity) and S (stock price), therefore, we assume the solution as:
Step 2:
Differentiate and substitute the solution into the PDE:
Substituting the solution in the equation, we have:
Simplifying:
Step 3:
Using MATLab’s symbolic algebraic solver, we’ll solve the equation to our desired degree, say
for each term and matching coefficients of same power degree to obtain an equal set of equations, say:
And unknown variables:
Step 4:
Solve equation:
We’ll solve these equations by applying the given initial value condition and boundary value condition of the Black-Scholes PDE to get the values of the unknown variables
.
Step 5:
Substitute the values of these variables
into the solution of the PDE, i.e.:
To get the result of the Black-Scholes PDE.
4. Result
In this section, the solution of the Black Scholes PDE using the Adomian Decomposition and Power Series Collocation Method shall be considered. The results are obtained using MATLab.
4.1. Solution of the Black Scholes PDE Using Adomian
Decomposition Method
Example 1: Consider the Black Scholes PDE:
with the initial/terminal condition:
where
with the exact solution;
.
Express the Black-Scholes PDE in ADM operator form:
where
, and its inverse;
.
And
while
.
Take
of both side of the Black-Scholes PDE in ADM operator form:
But,
.
The equation becomes:
We assume a solution in the form of an infinite series for the unknown function
and substitute the series:
We’ll have:
Each term of the approximation is then represented by:
We’ll substitute
,
and
where
.
To get the value of each term of the iteration, we’ll substitute the values of
,
,
,
,
,
.
For
:
For
:
For
:
For
:
For
:
For
:
For
:
For
:
For
:
For
:
For
:
For
:
For
:
For
:
.
For
:
For
:
For
:
For
:
For
:
For
:
For
:
For
:
For
:
For
:
For
:
For
:
An approximation for the solution of the PDE is given by the partial sum:
Using similar approach with the example above, other examples are solved for stock prices with the values: 45, 60, 70 and 75 alternating the values of the volatility from 0.2 to 0.25 for each stock prices to study the behavior of the option at maturity, while the values of other variables remain the same. The result from the solution shall be discussed in Section 5.
4.2. Solution of the Black Scholes PDE Using Power Series
Collocation Method
Example 1: Consider the Black Scholes PDE:
with the initial condition:
Boundary Condition:
where
,
,
,
,
with the exact solution;
.
We assume the solution for
:
Expanding
:
Differentiating:
Substitute
and
into the Black-Scholes PDE:
Simplifying:
Simplifying in order of like terms:
Simplifying further:
Recall:
We’ll discretize the values of
and
:
We’ll apply the initial and boundary conditions:
And approximate at the mesh points:
Substitute the values of
and the values of
and
at each mesh points into the simplified equation to get a system of 9 equations:
Solving the system of equations using Matlab to get values of the unknown:
Substitute the values of the unknowns and
into the assumed solution to get an approximation for the solution of the PDE:
Using similar approach with the examples above, other examples are solved for stock prices with the values: 45, 60, 70 and 75 alternating the values of the volatility from 0.2 to 0.25 for each stock prices to study the behavior of the option at maturity while the values of other variables remain the same. The result from the solution shall be discussed in Section 5.
5. Discussion
In this section, we shall discuss results of the solutions from Section 4.
5.1. Solution of the Black Scholes PDE Using Adomian
Decomposition Method
Ten examples of Black Scholes PDE were solved using the Adomian Decomposition method as presented in the table below:
Table 3. Exact and adomian decomposition method solution of black scholes PDE.
Stock Price (S) |
Strike Price (K) |
Volatility (σ) |
Interest rate (r) |
Time (t) |
Black Scholes Exact
Solution |
Adomian Decomposition Method |
30 |
25 |
0.2 |
0.2 |
1 |
6.1368 |
4.1667 |
30 |
25 |
0.25 |
0.2 |
1 |
6.478 |
4.1667 |
45 |
25 |
0.2 |
0.2 |
1 |
20.7407 |
16.667 |
45 |
25 |
0.25 |
0.2 |
1 |
20.7568 |
16.667 |
60 |
25 |
0.2 |
0.2 |
1 |
35.7389 |
29.1666 |
60 |
25 |
0.25 |
0.2 |
1 |
35.7392 |
29.1666 |
70 |
25 |
0.2 |
0.2 |
1 |
45.7389 |
37.5 |
70 |
25 |
0.25 |
0.2 |
1 |
45.7389 |
37.5 |
75 |
25 |
0.2 |
0.2 |
1 |
50.7389 |
41.6667 |
75 |
25 |
0.25 |
0.2 |
1 |
50.7389 |
41.6667 |
Worthy of note from the ADM method is that the volatility of the asset alone does not significantly determine the value of the call option at maturity. In example two, the volatility of same asset in example 1 was increased from 0.2 to 0.25 to study the behavior of the asset at maturity, and both gives exactly the same approximate values. Same experiment was carried out in example 3 and 4, 5 and 6, 7 and 8, 9 and 10, and they all give the same approximate values.
The approximate solution of the ADM in the ten examples as seen in Table 3 and Figure 1 shows that they are not exactly the same as the exact solution, but are within the same digit value, which indicates that the method gives a good approximation of the solution of the Black Scholes PDE.
Figure 1. Exact and adomian decompostion method solution of black scholes PDE.
5.2. Solution of the Black Scholes PDE Using Power Series
Collocation Method
Ten examples of Black Scholes PDE were solved using the Power Series Collocation method as presented in the table below:
Table 4. Exact and power series collocation method solution of black scholes PDE.
Stock Price (S) |
Strike Price (K) |
Volatility (σ) |
Interest rate (r) |
Time (t) |
Black Scholes Exact
Solution |
Adomian Decomposition Method |
30 |
25 |
0.2 |
0.2 |
1 |
6.1368 |
1.4652 |
30 |
25 |
0.25 |
0.2 |
1 |
6.478 |
1.4499 |
45 |
25 |
0.2 |
0.2 |
1 |
20.7407 |
6.7498 |
45 |
25 |
0.25 |
0.2 |
1 |
20.7568 |
6.827 |
60 |
25 |
0.2 |
0.2 |
1 |
35.7389 |
13.2881 |
60 |
25 |
0.25 |
0.2 |
1 |
35.7392 |
13.5538 |
70 |
25 |
0.2 |
0.2 |
1 |
45.7389 |
17.6479 |
70 |
25 |
0.25 |
0.2 |
1 |
45.7389 |
18.0175 |
75 |
25 |
0.2 |
0.2 |
1 |
50.7389 |
19.8178 |
75 |
25 |
0.25 |
0.2 |
1 |
50.7389 |
20.2679 |
Worthy of note from the PSCM method is that the volatility of an asset unlike the ADM affects and significantly determine the value of the call option at maturity. In example two, the volatility of same asset in example 1 was increased from 0.2 to 0.25 to study the behavior of the asset at maturity, and both gives different approximate values. Same experiment was carried out in example 3 and 4, 5 and 6, 7 and 8, 9 and 10, and they all give different approximate values. Not only are the approximate values of the call option different, the PSCM method also shows that the volatility of an asset can result to either an increase or decrease in the value of the call option at maturity.
Figure 2. Exact and Power Series Collocation Method Solution of Black Scholes PDE.
The approximate solution of the PSCM in the ten examples as seen in Table 4 and Figure 2 above shows that they are not exactly the same as the exact solution, and that there are examples where the approximate values of the PSCM and the exact solution are within the same digit value, as seen in example one and two, five and six, seven and eight, nine and ten and there are examples where they are not in the same digit value, as shown in example three and four, which indicates that the method gives a good approximation of the solution of the Black Scholes PDE but with room for improvement in accuracy and precision.
5.3. Comparative Analysis of the Approximate Solutions of Adomian
Decomposition Method and Power Series Collocation Method
Ten same examples of Black Scholes PDE were solved using the Adomian Decomposition and Power Series Collocation method. Presented in the table below is the exact solution and approximate solution of the Adomian Decomposition and Power Series Collocation method, and the relative error of the methods.
Table 5. Relative errors of the adomian decomposition and power series collocation method.
Black Scholes Exact Solution |
Adomian Decomposition Method |
Relative Error-ADM |
Power Series Collocation Method |
Relative Error-PSCM |
6.1368 |
4.1667 |
0.321 |
1.4652 |
0.7612 |
6.478 |
4.1667 |
0.3568 |
1.4499 |
0.7762 |
20.7407 |
16.667 |
0.1964 |
6.7498 |
0.6746 |
20.7568 |
16.667 |
0.197 |
6.827 |
0.6711 |
35.7389 |
29.1666 |
0.1839 |
13.2881 |
0.6282 |
35.7392 |
29.1666 |
0.1839 |
13.5538 |
0.6208 |
45.7389 |
37.5 |
0.1801 |
17.6479 |
0.6142 |
45.7389 |
37.5 |
0.1801 |
18.0175 |
0.6061 |
50.7389 |
41.6667 |
0.1788 |
19.8178 |
0.6094 |
50.7389 |
41.6667 |
0.1788 |
20.2679 |
0.6005 |
The approximate values of the PSCM and ADM method shows that both methods give good approximation of the solution of Black Scholes PDE, and are within the same digit value with the exact solution. However, all the examples in the ADM are within the same digit value with the exact solution, while in PSCM some examples are within the same digit value with the exact solution while some are not.
As seen in Table 5 and Figure 3, ADM and PSCM gives a good approximation of the Black Scholes PDE. However, the Adomian Decomposition method gives more accurate result and precision of the exact solution of the Black Scholes PDE.
Figure 3. Exact, adomian decomposition and power series collocation method solution.
5.4. Error Bound Analysis of the Adomian Decomposition Method
and Power Series Collocation Method
Table 6. Error bound analysis of the ADM and PSCM.
Black Scholes
Exact Solution |
Adomian Decomposition Method |
ADM Error Bounds/
Absulute Error |
Power Series
Collocation Method |
PSCM Error Bounds/
Absulute Error |
6.1368 |
4.1667 |
1.9701 |
1.4652 |
4.6716 |
6.478 |
4.1667 |
2.3113 |
1.4499 |
5.0281 |
20.7407 |
16.667 |
4.0737 |
6.7498 |
13.9909 |
20.7568 |
16.667 |
4.0898 |
6.827 |
13.9298 |
35.7389 |
29.1666 |
6.5723 |
13.2881 |
22.4508 |
35.7392 |
29.1666 |
6.5726 |
13.5538 |
22.1854 |
45.7389 |
37.5 |
8.2389 |
17.6479 |
28.091 |
45.7389 |
37.5 |
8.2389 |
18.0175 |
27.7214 |
50.7389 |
41.6667 |
9.0722 |
19.8178 |
30.9211 |
50.7389 |
41.6667 |
9.0722 |
20.2679 |
30.471 |
For the ADM, increase in the values of the volatility from 0.2 to 0.25 has no significant impact on the value of the absolute error from the exact solution of the Black-Scholes PDE to the approximate solution, as seen in the analysis above, however, there was increase in value of error bounds as the volatility increases from 0.2 to 0.25 for stock prices 30, 45 and 60, which shows that absolute error increase for this method with increase in volatility.
For the PSCM on the other hand, increase in the values of volatility from 0.2 to 0.25 has a very significant impact on the value of the absolute error from the exact solution of the Black-Scholes PDE to the approximate solution has also seen in the error bound analysis in Table 6, the absolute error decreases as the volatility increases from 0.2 to 0.25 across the stock prices from 45, 60, 70 and 75, which shows that the absolute error decreases with increase in volatility for the PSCM.
5.5. Sensitivity Analysis of the Range of Stock Prices and Volatility
The rationale behind the chosen parameters for the range of stock prices and volatility values is to study the behavior of the European call option for each stock prices at the intermittent increase in the volatility from 0.2 to 0.25, because the volatility is the measure of risk associated to a financial instrument or the degree of fluctuation in stock prices over a period of time, and we have been able to show using the PSCM that the volatility of an asset can result in either an increase or decrease in the value of the call option at maturity, while for the ADM method, the volatility of the asset alone does not significantly determine the value of the call option at maturity.
5.6. Financial Implications of the Approximate Solutions of the Adomian Decomposition Method and Power Series Collocation Methods
The approximate solution of the ADM and PSCM as shown in this research are not exactly the same value as the exact solution, but agree with the exact solution in digit value, however there are financial implications for approximate solution with such outcome, and they include:
1) Model Assumption: Black Scholes financial model relies on assumptions such as no transaction costs and dividend payments, and availability of risk-free instruments amongst others, which may not perfectly reflect a particular market condition, therefore, approximations that are not exactly same with the exact solution are financially accepted if they align with these assumptions.
2) Market Conditions and Liquidity: The exact solution of less commonly traded assets are often difficult to derive and approximate solutions that agree with the exact solution in digit value like the PSCM may be used when market conditions make precision unachievable.
3) Real Life Application: As long as the approximate solutions are in sync with the exact solution in pattern and digit value, they are considered in real life asset trading environment to estimate prices or risks due to the need for urgent decision-making.
6. Conclusion
In this paper, Black Scholes PDE were successfully solved using the Adomian Decomposition and Power Series Collocation methods. The Adomian Decomposition method requires more computation efforts to the exact solution of the Black Scholes PDE because this method involves continuous iteration from 0 to the value of K (i.e. the strike price of the option) and a summation of these iterations to get the approximate solution of the PDE. The solutions of each example in the Adomian Decomposition method agree with the exact solutions of the Black Scholes PDE in the sense that the solutions of all the examples are the same digit value with the exact solution. The Power Series Collocation method, on the other hand, requires lesser computational efforts to the Adomian Decomposition method, in this method, we solve to get a system of consistent equation which is then solved using Matlab to get values of the unknowns before substituting these unknowns in the assumed solution to get an approximate solution of the PDE. The solution of some examples of the Power Series Collocation Method agrees with the exact solution by being in the same digit value with the exact solution while some are not and this is due to numerical instabilities during computation and the method’s sensitivity to changes in initial conditions and parameters.