This is the first study on the risk-neutral distribution of option returns. We derive solutions for the risk-neutral variance, skewness, and kurtosis of call and put option returns and document several properties of these ex-ante moments. We find that the volatility, skewness, and kurtosis of...

Replacing equity return (as in the equity risk premium) with returns on an arbitrary contingent claim, we obtain a new class of economic risk premiums to impose upon candidate models. These risk premiums reflect the distance between the physical and risk-neutral moments for asset returns, can be...

We propose a theoretically motivated and empirically robust factor model for option returns. The model consists of factors based on option illiquidity, option price, implied-minus-realized volatility, implied-minus-realized skewness, implied-minus-realized kurtosis, and the option market factor....