Pricing gold options under Markov-modulated jump-diffusion processes

In this study, we empirically investigate the properties of gold returns, and the European gold options are priced when the underlying gold price dynamics are driven by Markov-modulated jump-diffusion processes. Specifically, the jump events are captured by a compound Poisson process with a log-normal jump size, and the regime-switching intensity rate is governed by a continuous-time finite-state Markov chain. Under an incomplete market setting, we study the valuation of European gold options using the method of Esscher transform. The estimated results and numerical examples are provided.