November 29th, 2005, 2:50 am
As you probably know, there is an analytic formula forthe probability of a Brownian motion (with volatility sigma) to hit a barrier adistance x away prior to some time t. As a first appraoximation, this would seem to be what you need.I would try that formula with (i) no drift, and(ii) take x to be the absolute return (as a decimal) corresponding toa move from the current price to one tick away from your price.In other words, the market trades through your price. If the stock is optionable, you could use the shortest dated optionimplied volatility (with the strike closest to your limit price) for sigma.regards,