Vega

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Definition: Vega


Vega

Quick Summary of Vega


A measure of the sensitivity (rate of change) of an option’s price to the change in the price of the underlying asset.




What is the dictionary definition of Vega?

Dictionary Definition


  1. finance A measurement of the sensitivity of the value of an option to changes in the implied volatility of the price of the underlying product.
  2. Latin America, Philippines An open tract of ground; a plain, especially one which is moist and fertile, such as those used for growing tobacco.

The vega of a derivative shows how the value of the derivative changes in respect to a one per cent change in the implied volatility of the underlying. Vega is expressed in dollars. When buying or selling an option, a change in implied volatility means that the option price must be increased (i.e. by the vega amount for each 1% increase) or decreased (i.e. by the vega amount for each 1% decrease) in order to accommodate for a new volatility sensitivity. For example, ABC Inc. is trading at $37 in May and a June 40 call is selling for $3. Assume the underlying volatility is 20% and the vega is $0.35. If the underlying volatility increased by 1% to 21%, the trader will need to increase its option price by the vega amount to $3.35 (i.e. $3 + 0.35) to compensate for the change in volatility. As the option approaches its expiration date the vega of the option will decrease because any volatility changes in the underlying will have a relatively smaller time to influence the price of the underlying asset. The vega is also at its highest when the underlying is equal to the strike price of the option. As the price of the underlying asset deviates further away from the point where no gain or loss would occur, the vega drops. The vega drops because as the underlying moves away from the strike price, it becomes less likely that increased volatility will substantially alter the payoff of the option.


Full Definition of Vega


Vega (sometimes called kappa) is one of the Greek factor sensitivities used by traders to measure exposures in derivatives portfolios. Portfolios that hold options—either directly or embedded in instruments held by the portfolio—are sensitive to the implied volatilities of the underliers. In general, a long option position will benefit from rising implied volatilities and suffer from declining implied volatilities. Short option positions display opposite behaviour.

Mathematically, vega is defined in much the same way as is delta. Like delta, it is a linear approximation for the sensitivity of the market value of a portfolio. The difference is that delta measures sensitivity to an underlier; whereas vega measures sensitivity to its implied volatility.


Related Phrases


Gamma
Delta
Rho
Derivatives


Vega FAQ's


What Is Vega?

A measure of the rate of change in the value of an option or other derivative compared with a change in the volatility of the underlying security or instrument.


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Definition Sources


Definitions for Vega are sourced/syndicated and enhanced from:

  • A Dictionary of Economics (Oxford Quick Reference)
  • Oxford Dictionary Of Accounting
  • Oxford Dictionary Of Business & Management

This glossary post was last updated: 28th December, 2021 | 0 Views.