Risk Neutral Probability
Risk neutral probability is a theoretical framework used in financial derivatives pricing where investors are assumed to be indifferent to risk. Under this measure, the expected return on all assets is equal to the risk-free interest rate, rather than their actual expected return.
By adjusting the probability distribution of future asset prices to account for risk preferences, we can price derivatives by calculating the expected payoff and discounting it at the risk-free rate. This method simplifies the valuation process because it eliminates the need to estimate individual risk premiums for different assets.
In the context of options trading, it allows traders to use the Black-Scholes model to determine a fair price that is consistent with the market prices of the underlying assets. It is not a prediction of real-world outcomes, but rather a mathematical tool to ensure consistency and prevent arbitrage opportunities in derivative markets.