A Study of the Performance of Option Strategy Benchmark Index in Global Option Markets

Abstract

While most previous studies have analyzed the performance of the Option Strategy Benchmark Index (SBI) in a specific market such as S&P500 and KOSPI200, this study comprehensively investigates the performance of the option SBIs in nine global options markets in Europe, Asia, and Oceania. In the empirical analysis using the sample data from September 2008 to April 2019, the main results of this study are as follows. First, most of the option SBIs generally provide better performance than the simple buy-and-hold strategy, which is mainly due to a reduction in risk rather than improvement in returns. Second, the option SBIs based on straddle or protective put, one of the most popular option trading strategies, perform poorly in almost all markets, whereas the option SBIs based on covered call or (cash) covered put show relatively good performance. Finally, there is no significant difference in the performance of the option SBIs between markets in the same region or those with a similar level of development. However, we found significant differences in the performance of the option SBIs between Europe and Asia and developed and emerging markets.