
Answer-first summary for fast verification
Answer: The call option with a strike price of $40.
## Explanation ### Delta-Normal Approach Limitations: The delta-normal approach assumes linear relationships and is based on: - Using option delta to approximate price changes - Assuming normal distribution of returns ### Why At-the-Money Options Work Best: For the call option with strike price **$40** (at-the-money): 1. **Delta is closest to 0.5**, providing the most accurate linear approximation 2. **Gamma is highest** at-the-money, but the delta-normal approach ignores gamma risk 3. **Linear approximation error is minimized** when the option is not too deep in-the-money or out-of-the-money ### Comparison of Options: - **$35 strike (deep ITM)**: Delta ≈ 1.0, but large gamma makes linear approximation poor - **$40 strike (ATM)**: Delta ≈ 0.5, best balance for linear approximation - **$45 strike (OTM)**: Delta ≈ 0.2-0.3, small delta but large relative errors - **$50 strike (deep OTM)**: Delta ≈ 0.0-0.1, very poor linear approximation ### Conclusion: The **at-the-money option (strike $40)** will have the delta-normal ES closest to the true ES because the linear approximation is most accurate when the option is neither deeply in-the-money nor out-of-the-money.
Author: LeetQuiz Editorial Team
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Kevin, FRM, is a risk manager in the local bank's derivatives trading desk. He is currently adopting a delta-normal approach to calculate the expected shortfall for various option positions. Specifically, the trading desk has positions in the call option on stock XYZ with strike prices $35, $40, $45, and $50. Given that the current spot price of stock XYZ is $40, which position's delta-normal ES will be the closest to the true ES?
A
The call option with a strike price of $35.
B
The call option with a strike price of $40.
C
The call option with a strike price of $45.
D
The call option with a strike price of $50.
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