Transmission of Volatility Across Asia-Pacific Stock Markets: Is There a Pattern?

Abstract

In finance literature, volatility is synonymous with the measure of risk. Spillover of volatility refers to the transmission of disturbances or shock from one market to another and has direct consequence on resource allocation, risk hedging, and even, monetary policies. Spillover between stock markets has been the subject of study since 1990s where researchers have studied the nature of time-varying correlations between international stock markets. Extant literature substantiates the fact that volatility spillover between international stock markets happens at all times and that developed nations, particularly the US, is the major source of spillover. However, studies involving emerging markets, specifically in the Asia-Pacific region is scarce. Moreover, a clear understanding regarding the pattern of volatility transmission across international stock markets is lacking. The present study attempts to track the transmission of volatility across 11 international stock markets in the Asia-Pacific region over a span of 20 years, which include both crises (i.e. contagion form) and non-crisis periods. It also investigates whether global transmission of volatility follow a pattern. Our study contributes to the literature in two ways: (1) It provides a historical map of volatility transmission in the Asia-Pacific region; and (2) this study identifies the path and pattern of volatility spillover across Asia-Pacific stock markets.