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Discussion Paper Details

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Title: Aggregate Idiosyncratic Volatility

Author(s): Geert Bekaert, Robert J Hodrick and Xiaoyan Zhang

Publication Date: December 2010

Keyword(s): contagion, diversification, growth opportunities, idiosyncratic volatility, regime switching model, return correlation, trend test, variance premium and volatility dynamics

Programme Area(s): Financial Economics

Abstract: We examine aggregate idiosyncratic volatility in 23 developed equity markets, measured using various methodologies, and we find no evidence of upward trends when we extend the sample till 2008. Instead, idiosyncratic volatility appears to be well described by a stationary autoregressive process that occasionally switches into a higher-variance regime that has relatively short duration. We also document that idiosyncratic volatility is highly correlated across countries. Finally, we examine the determinants of the time-variation in idiosyncratic volatility. In most specifications, the bulk of idiosyncratic volatility can be explained by a growth opportunity proxy, total (U.S.) market volatility, and in most but not all specifications, the variance premium, a business cycle sensitive risk indicator. Our results have important implications for studies of portfolio diversification, return volatility and contagion.

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Bibliographic Reference

Bekaert, G, Hodrick, R and Zhang, X. 2010. 'Aggregate Idiosyncratic Volatility'. London, Centre for Economic Policy Research. https://cepr.org/active/publications/discussion_papers/dp.php?dpno=8149