Optimal geometric mean returns of stocks and their options

Abstract

The optimal geometric mean return is an important property of an asset. As a derivative of the underlying asset, the option also has this property. In this paper, we show that the optimal geometric mean returns of a stock and its option are the same from Kelly criterion. It is proved by using binomial option pricing model and continuous stochastic models with self-financing assumption. A simulation study reveals the same result for the continuous option pricing model. © 2012 Guoyi Zhang.