The Monte Carlo Simulation in Excel

The Monte Carlo Simulation in Excel

Abdulla Javeri

30 years: Financial markets trader

In the previous video, Abdulla explained how Monte Carlo is a way of modelling a probability distribution of returns or prices. In this video, Abdulla examines the nature of stock returns to come up with a formula that can be used in Excel to simulate the price paths.

In the previous video, Abdulla explained how Monte Carlo is a way of modelling a probability distribution of returns or prices. In this video, Abdulla examines the nature of stock returns to come up with a formula that can be used in Excel to simulate the price paths.

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The Monte Carlo Simulation in Excel

5 mins 9 secs

Key learning objectives:

  • Understand how to calculate changes in stock prices

  • Identify which two components make up rate (r)

  • Learn the formula we can input in excel for our simulations

Overview:

Monte Carlo is a way of modelling a probability distribution of returns or prices. In this particular case, changes in stock prices. This can be calculated by multiplying the spot price today by e to the power of a continuously compounded rate of return (r).

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Summary

What are some concepts you need to be familiar with?

  • Volatility
  • Variance
  • Probability distributions
  • How Monte Carlo works

How do we calculate changes in stock prices?

Changes in stock prices will usually be shown by the formula in the graphic below: tomorrow’s price will be today’s price multiplied by some continuously compounded rate of return. S1 = S0 x er S1: Price tomorrow S0: Price now er: Continuously compounded return for the period  

The rate (r) is made up of which two components?

  • Fixed Component
  • Random Component

What is the fixed component?

This is some rate by which the price drifts away from the current level over a given period. That is in turn made up of a constant drift rate and a stochastic element. The drift rate will usually be a risk-free rate for the period, or the average or an assumed return for that period. However, as trading results in fluctuating returns, the drift rate is subject to a drag that reduces it. Hence, the drift is the chosen drift rate minus the dragging element which is half the variance for that period. The ‘half the variance’ is the stochastic element which we accept as being correct.

What is the random component?

It picks a return randomly based on a probability distribution with the drift as the mean and an associated standard deviation or volatility. Often a normal or lognormal distribution is used for the probability distribution, because mathematically it keeps things relatively simple, but any appropriate distribution could be used.

Which formula can we input in excel for our simulations?

Exp(norm.inv(rand(),mean,stdev)

What is the benefit of using the Monte Carlo Simulation?

  • Particularly useful in the pricing of price dependant options, for example barriers options such as knock-ins and knock-outs
  • Flexible - it allows us to assume non-standard distributions. We could, for example, assume that the drift rate and/or the volatility are not constant and randomise or adjust those variables accordingly

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Abdulla Javeri

Abdulla Javeri

Abdulla’s career in the financial markets started in 1990 when he entered the trading floor of the London International Financial Futures Exchange, LIFFE, and qualified as a pit trader in equity and equity index options. In 1996, Abdulla became a trainer for regulatory qualifications and then for non-exam courses, primarily covering all major financial products.

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