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Showing a call price is convex in strike

Question

Prove that the price of a European call, viewed as a function of its strike, is convex.

Short answer

The payoff is convex in KK, and pricing is a positive linear operation. For λ∈[0,1]\lambda\in[0,1], (S−λK1−(1−λ)K2)+≤λ(S−K1)++(1−λ)(S−K2)+(S-\lambda K_1-(1-\lambda)K_2)^+\le\lambda(S-K_1)^++(1-\lambda)(S-K_2)^+ pathwise, so by no-arbitrage C(λK1+(1−λ)K2)≤λC(K1)+(1−λ)C(K2)C(\lambda K_1+(1-\lambda)K_2)\le\lambda C(K_1)+(1-\lambda)C(K_2). Equivalently, a butterfly spread has a non-negative payoff and so a non-negative price.

Adapted from Joshi, Denson & Downes, Quant Job Interview Questions and Answers, Q2.31, p.19; question and answer rewritten by SelfMadeQuant.com.

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