Prices and volumes of options: A simple theory of risk sharing when markets are incomplete

We present a theory of business cycle movements for derivative asset prices and volumes. This theory relies on time-varying heterogeneity among agents in their demand for insurance against aggregate risk. We are able to analytically characterize a general equilibrium in which positive quantities of derivatives are traded. This allows us to explain the informational content of derivative volumes over the business cycle. We reproduce stylized facts about derivative volumes, and perform welfare analysis with respect to the introduction of derivative assets, which notably appears to be not Pareto improving.