Fabio Spagnolo

A test for volatility spillovers

This paper proposes a new procedure for analyzing volatility links between different markets based on a bivariate Markov switching model. An empirical application of this procedure to three emerging markets is examined and discussed.

Macro News and Commodity Returns

This paper adopts a VAR-GARCH approach to model the dynamic linkages between both the mean and the variance of macro news and commodity returns (Gold, Corn, Wheat, Soybeans, Silver, Platinum, Palladium, Copper, Aluminium and Crude Oil) over the period 01/01/2001-26/09/2014. The chosen specification also controls for the effect of the exchange rate. The results can be summarised as follows. Mean spillovers running from news to commodity returns are positive with the exception of Gold and Silver. Volatility spillovers are bigger in size and affect most commodity returns. Both first and second moment linkages are stronger in the post-September 2008 period. Overall, our findings confirm that commodities, despite not being financial assets, are sensitive to macro news (especially their volatility), and also suggest that the global financial crisis has strengthened such linkages.

A simple procedure for detecting periodically collapsing rational bubbles

This paper proposes a new procedure for detecting the presence of periodically collapsing rational bubbles via an analysis of the properties of the relevant observable time series. The procedure is based on random coefficient autoregressive models. An empirical application of the procedure to German hyperinflation data is examined and discussed.

Contemporaneous Threshold Autoregressive Models: Estimation, Testing and Forecasting

This paper proposes a contemporaneous smooth transition threshold autoregressive model (C-STAR) as a modification of the smooth transition threshold autoregressive model surveyed in Terasvirta (1998), in which the regime weights depend on the ex ante probability that a latent regime-specific variable will exceed a threshold value. We argue that the contemporaneous model is well-suited to rational expectations applications (and pricing exercises), in that it does not require the initial regimes to be predetermined. We investigate the properties of the model and evaluate its finitesample maximum likelihood performance. We also propose a method to determine the number of regimes based on a modified Hansen (1992) procedure. Furthermore, we construct multiple-step ahead forecasts and evaluate the forecasting performance of the model. Finally, an empirical application of the short term interest rate yield is presented and discussed.

Treasury Management Model with Foreign Exchange Exposure

In this paper we formulate a model for foreign exchange exposure management and (international) cash management taking into consideration random fluctuations of exchange rates. A vector error correction model (VECM) is used to predict the random behaviour of the forward as well as spot rates connecting dollar and sterling. A two-stage stochastic programming (TWOSP) decision model is formulated using these random parameter values. This model computes currency hedging strategies, which provide rolling decisions of how much forward contracts should be bought and how much should be liquidated.The model decisions are investigated through ex post simulation and backtesting in which value at risk (VaR) for alternative decisions are computed. The investigation (a) shows that there is a considerable improvement to “spot only” strategy, (b) provides insight into how these decisions are made and (c) also validates the performance of this model.

Selecting nonlinear time series models using information criteria

This article considers the problem of selecting among competing nonlinear time series models by using complexity-penalized likelihood criteria. An extensive simulation study is undertaken to assess the small-sample performance of several popular criteria in selecting among nonlinear autoregressive models belonging to some families that have been popular with practitioners. Copyright 2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd

The Effects of Different Parameterizations of Markov-Switching in a CIR Model of Bond Pricing

We examine several discrete-time versions of the Cox, Ingersoll and Ross (CIR) model for the term structure, in which the short rate is subject to discrete shifts. Our empirical analysis suggests that careful consideration of which parameters of the short-term interest rate equation that are allowed to be switched is crucial. Ignoring this issue may result in a parameterization that produces no improvement (in terms of bond pricing) relative to the standard CIR model, even when there are clear breaks in the data.

Inflation Targeting, Exchange Rate Volatility and International Policy Coordination

In a linear rational expectations two-country model, using an aggregate demand, aggregate supply framework, we analyse the effects of the adoption of an inflation-targeting regime on exchange rate volatility and the possible scope for policy coordination. This analysis is conducted using optimized interest rate policy rules within a calibrated model. Rules for interest rates that respond either to exchange rates or to portfolio shocks give improved performance and permit gains from international coordination. Optimized Taylor rules perform relatively well. Copyright 2002 by Blackwell Publishers Ltd and The Victoria University of Manchester

Instrumental-Variables Estimation in Markov Switching Models with Endogenous Explanatory Variables: An Application to the Term Structure of Interest Rates

This paper considers the problem of estimating Markov regime switching models with endogenous explanatory variables. When the data-generating process for consumption is subject to Markov regime switching, the standard model for the term structure of interest rates based on the Euler equations for a utility-maximizing agent implies the presence of a time-varying risk premium which is also subject to Markov regime shifts. Under such conditions, the regression equations that are typically used to test the expectations hypothesis of the term structure do not only have regime-dependent parameters but also endogenous regressors (that is right-hand-side variables which are correlated with the disturbances within each regime). Using three-month and six-month interest rates for the G7 countries, we show that the (generalized) expectations hypothesis cannot be rejected when we allow for a risk premium with Markov regimes, provided that instrumental variables are used to account for endogeneity.

Multivariate Contemporaneous-Threshold Autoregressive Models

This paper proposes a contemporaneous-threshold multivariate smooth transition autoregressive (C-MSTAR) model in which the regime weights depend on the ex-ante probabilities that latent regime-specific variables exceed certain threshold values. A key feature of the model is that the transition function depends on all the parameters of the model as well as on the data. Since the mixing weights are also a function of the regime-specific noise covariance matrix, the model can account for contemporaneous regime-specific co-movements of the variables. The stability and distributional properties of the proposed model are discussed, as well as issues of estimation, testing and forecasting. The practical usefulness of the C-MSTAR model is illustrated by examining the relationship between US stock prices and interest rates.