We answer this question by comparing te risk-neutral density estimated in c
omplete markets from cross-section of S&P 500 option prices to the risk-neu
tral density inferred from the time series density of the S&P 500 index. If
investors are risk-averse, the latter density is different from the actual
density that could be inferred from the time series of S&P 500 returns. Na
turally, the observed asset returns do not follow the risk-neutral dynamics
, which are therefore not directly observable. In contrast to the existing
literature, we avoid making any assumptions on investors' preferences, by c
omparing two risk-adjusted densities, rather than a risk-adjusted density f
rom option prices to an unadjusted density from index returns. Our only mai
ntained hypothesis is a one-factor structure for the S&P 500 returns. We pr
opose a new method, based on an empirical Girsanov's change of measure, to
identify the risk-neutral density from the observed unadjusted index return
s. We design four different tests of the null hypothesis that the S&P 500 o
ptions are efficiently priced given the S&P 500 index dynamics, and reject
it. By adding a jump component to the index dynamics, we are able to partly
reconcile the differences between the index and option-implied risk-neutra
l densities, and propose a peso-problem interpretation of this evidence. (C
) 2001 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.