Abstract
We propose an early warning system to timely forecast turbulence in the US stock market. In a first step, a Markov-switching model with two regimes (a calm market and a turbulent market) is developed. Based on the time series of the monthly returns of the S&P 500 price index, the corresponding filtered probabilities are successively estimated. In a second step, the turbulent phase of the model is further specified to distinguish between bullish and bearish trends. For comparison only, a Markov-switching model with three states (a calm market, a turbulent bullish market, and a turbulent bearish market) is examined as well. In a third step, logistic regression models are employed to forecast the filtered probabilities provided by the Markov-switching models. A major advantage of the presented modeling framework is the timely identification of the factors driving the different phases of the capital market. In a fourth step, the early warning system is applied to an asset management case study. The results show that explicit consideration of the models’ signals yields better portfolio performance and lower portfolio risk compared to standard buy-and-hold and constant proportion portfolio insurance strategies.
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Notes
For comparison, we also estimated the vector \(\varvec{\theta }\) using the numerical optimization scheme introduced in Hamilton (2005), which is more time-consuming than the EM algorithm; the estimation results were essentially the same as those reported here.
Note that the traffic light system is just a simplification for illustrative purposes. The information we actually create, that is, the probabilities for each regime, is much richer than a simple indication (indicating color) and may be used for advanced risk management or investment strategies.
As Hamilton (2005) numerical scheme provides similar results, we do not explicitly illustrate them.
For example, the OECD CLI Index of December is published in February. Thus the data set of December is shifted to February in our estimation database.
In case of the buy-and-hold strategy of a 100 % investment in the stock market and a buy-and-hold strategy consisting of a 50 % investment in the stock market and a 50 % investment in the risk-free asset the equality of the Sharpe ratio and the Omega measure, respectively, follows from the fact that the benchmark yield is given by the return of the risk-free asset.
In general, a CPPI strategy is as follows. First, a minimum repayment at maturity (referred to as “floor”) must be specified. For any point in time before maturity the difference between the current value of the portfolio and the discounted floor (denoted as “cushion”) is determined. As long as the cushion is positive, the cushion multiplied by the factor \(m\) (“exposure”) is invested in the risky assets. The remaining value of the portfolio is invested in the risk-free asset. Hence, the multiplier \(m\) indicates the investor’s risk appetite. If the value of the discounted floor exceeds the current value of the portfolio (cushion is negative) at any point in time, the risky investments are removed and the whole wealth is invested in the risk-free asset for the remaining time to maturity. For more information on CPPI strategies, see, e.g., Black and Perold (1992).
The test statistics of Jobson and Korkie (1981) for the modified Sharpe ratio provide: Strategy \(A\) vs. both buy-and-hold strategies 1.826 (significant 10 %); Strategy \(A\) vs. Strategy \(B\) 1.808 (significant 10 %); Strategy \(B\) vs. both buy-and-hold strategies 1.489.
The test statistics of Schmid and Schmidt (2008) for the Omega measure: Strategy \(A\) vs. both buy-and-hold strategies 1.659 (significant 10 %); Strategy \(A\) vs. Strategy \(B\) 1.551; Strategy \(B\) vs. both buy-and-hold strategies 1.431.
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Acknowledgments
We thank Johann Goldbrunner, Martin Hüfner, Klaus Meitinger and Oliver Schlick most sincerely for sharing their invaluable years of experience in capital markets. The joint discussions allowed us to improve the quality of this paper and to learn about the most important risk factors and their interrelations. We also thank the editor and an anonymous referee for constructive comments that led to improvement of the paper. Franz Ramsauer gratefully acknowledges the financial support of Pioneer Investments.
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Appendices
Appendix A: Underlying data set
In the following we give an overview of all data that were used directly or after some transformations (e.g., absolute/relative change of the same variable over time, spread between two different variables, etc.). We also provide the data sources so as to simplify the verification of the results set out in Sect. 3.2.
Balance on Current Account
http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/BOPBCA
Belgischer Frühindikator
Datastream (BG000183Q)
Capacity Utilization Rate for Total Industry
http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/TCU
Civilian Unemployment Rate
http:research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/search?st=Civilian+Unemployment+Rate
Consumer Price Index (CPI) for All Urban Consumers (All Items)
http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/CPIAUCSL
JPM EMBI+ Composite - Total Return Index
Datastream(JPMPTOT)
Foreign Exchange Rate EURO - USD
http://www.global-view.com/forex-trading-tools/forex-history/
Effective Federal Funds Rate
http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/FEDFUNDS
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/GDP
U.S. High Yield Master II Effective Yield
http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/AAA
Moody’s Seasoned Aaa Corporate Bond Yield
http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/BAMLH0A0HYM@EY
Ifo Weltwirtschaftsklima Index
http://www.cesifo-group.de/portal/page/portal/ifoHome/a-winfo/d6zeitreihen/15reihen/_reihenwes
Industrial Production Index
http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/INDPRO
3-Month US-D LIBOR Interest Rate
http://www.global-rates.com/interest-rates/libor/american-dollar/american-dollar.aspx
can-dollar/american-dollar.aspx
1-Month and 3-Month LIBOR-OIS Spread
Reuters
Board of Governors Monetary Base, Adjusted for Changes in Reserve Requirements
http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/BOGAMBSL
M1 Money Stock
http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/M1SL
M2 Money Stock
http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/M2SL
Nonfarm Payroll Employment Indicator
http://www.philadelphiafed.org/research-and-data/real-time-center/real-time-data/data-files/EMPLOY/
OECD Composite Leading Indicator (OECD + Major 6 NME)
http://stats.oecd.org/index.aspx?datasetcode=MEI_CLI
Personal Saving Rate
http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/PSAVERT
ISM Manufacturing: PMI Composite Index
http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/NAPM
Producer Price Index: All Commodities
http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/PPIACO
Put-Call Ratios
http://www.cboe.com/data/putcallratio.aspx
Spot Oil Price: West Texas Intermediate
http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/OILPRICE
Moody’s Seasoned Aaa Corporate Bond Yield
http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/AAA
Moody’s Seasoned Baa Corporate Bond Yield
http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/BAA
S & P500 Price Index
http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/SP500
Treasury Bill Eurodollar Difference
http://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/h15/data.htm
3-Month Treasury Constant Maturity Rate
http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/GS3M
5-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate
http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/GS5
10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate
http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/GS10
Treasury International Capital System (Cross-Border Financial Flows)
http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/data-chart-
center/tic/Pages/ticsec2.aspx
Federal Government Debt: Total Public Debt
http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/GFDEBTN
Trade Weighted Exchange Index: Major Currencies
http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/TWEXMMTH
University of Michigan: Consumer Sentiment
http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/UMCSENT
Datastream (USUMCONSH)
CBOE Volatility Index
http://www.cboe.com/micro/vix/historical.aspx
Appendix B: Illustrations
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Hauptmann, J., Hoppenkamps, A., Min, A. et al. Forecasting market turbulence using regime-switching models. Financ Mark Portf Manag 28, 139–164 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11408-014-0226-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11408-014-0226-0