SearcharxivSearch

arXiv subjects

Demetrio Lacava

Publications and source records attributed to Demetrio Lacava.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Illiquidity at Risk

Market efficiency relies fundamentally on stable liquidity. Consequently, forecasting liquidity dynamics is a priority for both investors and regulators. We introduce a new tail-risk metric, Illiquidity-at-Risk (IlliQaR), designed to quantify the magnitude of extreme liquidity dry-ups. Relying upon the realized Amihud (a precise illiquidity measurement derived from high-frequency data as the ratio of realized volatility to trading volume) we assess the predictive power of various linear and non-linear econometric models, with a specific focus on the impact of discontinuous jump components. Accounting for these jumps is essential for achieving accurate probability coverage and better IlliQaR predictions during periods of systemic stress, where standard continuous models systematically underestimate the severity of liquidity evaporation. Our empirical analysis, encompassing the S&P 500 index and a cross-section of 25 large U.S. equities, demonstrates that incorporating jumps significantly improves forecasts of illiquidity. Our results suggest that individual stock IlliQaR violations often cluster during periods of S&P 500 liquidity stress. This indicates that Illiquidity at Risk is not just a localized concern but a systemic one, where the main index acts as a leading indicator for extreme dry-ups in individual stock liquidity.

q-fin.RM

Modeling and Forecasting Tail Risk Spillovers: A Component-Based CAViaR Approach

This paper introduces a new extension of the Conditional Autoregressive Value at Risk (CAViaR) model aimed at improving tail risk forecasting across assets. The proposed component-based model, CAViaR with Spillover Effects (CAViaR-SE), decomposes the conditional Value at Risk into a proper-risk component and a spillover component driven by a linear combination of tail risks from influential assets. These assets are selected via a recursive partial correlation algorithm, allowing multiple spillover sources with minimal parameterization. The spillover component acts as a predictable quantile shifter, directly affecting the conditional quantile dynamics rather than the volatility scale. Empirical results on Dow Jones Industrial Average stocks show that spillover effects account for a substantial share of total tail risk and significantly improve out-of-sample tail risk forecasts. Backtesting procedures, together with Model Confidence Set (MCS) analysis, confirm that CAViaR-SE provides well-calibrated risk measures and statistically superior forecasts compared to standard and augmented CAViaR models.

q-fin.RM

Shifting Correlations: How Trade Policy Uncertainty Alters stock-T bill Relationships

This paper examines how trade policy uncertainty influences the correlation between U.S. stock indices and short-term government bonds. The objective is to assess whether policy-related shocks, especially those linked to trade tensions, alter the traditional stock-T bill relationship and its implications for investors. We extend the Dynamic Conditional Correlation (DCC) framework by incorporating exogenous variables to account for external shocks. Three specifications are analyzed: one using the Trade Policy Uncertainty (TPU) index, one including a dummy variable reflecting presidential-cycle effects, and one combining both through an interaction term. The analysis is based on daily data for major U.S. stock indices and the 3-month Treasury bill. Results indicate that trade policy uncertainty exerts a significant effect on stock-T bill correlations. Moreover, its influence becomes stronger under specific political conditions, suggesting that political agendas can amplify the impact of trade-related shocks on financial markets. Crucially, augmenting the DCC framework with trade-policy-related variables improves also the economic relevance of correlation forecasts. Therefore, this study contributes to the literature by explicitly integrating policy-related uncertainty into correlation modeling through an augmented DCC framework. The findings provide new insights for portfolio allocation and risk management in environments characterized by heightened trade tensions.

q-fin.RM

Trade uncertainty impact on stock-bond correlations: Insights from conditional correlation models

This paper investigates the impact of Trade Policy Uncertainty (TPU) on stock-bond correlation dynamics in the United States. Using daily data on major U.S. stock indices and the 10-year Treasury bond from 2015 to 2025, we estimate correlation within a two-step GARCH-based framework, relying on multivariate specifications, including Constant Conditional Correlation (CCC), Smooth Transition Conditional Correlation (STCC), and Dynamic Conditional Correlation (DCC) models. We extend these frameworks by incorporating TPU index and a presidential dummy to capture effects of trade uncertainty and government cycles. The findings show that constant correlation models are strongly rejected in favor of time-varying specifications. Both STCC and DCC models confirm TPU's central role in driving correlation dynamics, with significant differences across political regimes. DCC models augmented with TPU and political effects deliver the best in-sample fit and strongest forecasting performance, as measured by statistical and economic loss functions.

q-fin.ST

Electoral Polls and Economic Uncertainty: an Analysis of the Last Two U.S. Presidential Elections

This paper examines the dynamic relationship between electoral polls and indicators of economic and financial uncertainty during the last two U.S. presidential elections (2020 and 2024). Using daily polling data on Donald Trump and measures such as the Aruoba-Diebold-Scotti Business Conditions Index, the 5-year Breakeven Inflation Rate, the Trade Policy Uncertainty index, and the VIX, we estimate conditional correlation models to capture time-varying interactions. The analysis reveals that in 2020, correlations between polls and uncertainty measures were highly dynamic and event-driven, reflecting the influence of exogenous shocks (COVID-19, oil price collapse) and political milestones (primaries, debates). In contrast, during the 2024 campaign, correlations remained close to zero, stable, and largely unresponsive to shocks, suggesting that entrenched polarization and non-economic events (e.g., assassination attempt, candidate changes) muted the economic channel. The study highlights how the interplay between voter sentiment, financial markets, and uncertainty varies across electoral contexts, offering a methodological contribution through the application of Dynamic Conditional Correlation models to political data and policy-relevant insights on the conditions under which economic fundamentals influence electoral dynamics.

econ.GN

Volatility jumps and the classification of monetary policy announcements

Central Banks interventions are frequent in response to exogenous events with direct implications on financial market volatility. In this paper, we introduce the Asymmetric Jump Multiplicative Error Model (AJM), which accounts for a specific jump component of volatility within an intradaily framework. Taking the Federal Reserve (Fed) as a reference, we propose a new model-based classification of monetary announcements based on their impact on the jump component of volatility. Focusing on a short window following each Fed's communication, we isolate the impact of monetary announcements from any contamination carried by relevant events that may occur within the same announcement day.

econ.GN

Unconventional Policies Effects on Stock Market Volatility: A MAP Approach

Taking the European Central Bank unconventional policies as a reference, we suggest a class of Multiplicative Error Models (MEM) taylored to analyze the impact such policies have on stock market volatility. The new set of models, called MEM with Asymmetry and Policy effects (MAP), keeps the base volatility dynamics separate from a component reproducing policy effects, with an increase in volatility on announcement days and a decrease unfolding implementation effects. When applied to four Eurozone markets, a Model Confidence Set approach finds a significant improvement of the forecasting power of the proxy after the Expanded Asset Purchase Programme implementation; a multi--step ahead forecasting exercise estimates the duration of the effect, and, by shocking the policy variable, we are able to quantify the reduction in volatility which is more marked for debt--troubled countries.

q-fin.ST

On Classifying the Effects of Policy Announcements on Volatility

The financial turmoil surrounding the Great Recession called for unprecedented intervention by Central Banks: unconventional policies affected various areas in the economy, including stock market volatility. In order to evaluate such effects, by including Markov Switching dynamics within a recent Multiplicative Error Model, we propose a model--based classification of the dates of a Central Bank's announcements to distinguish the cases where the announcement implies an increase or a decrease in volatility, or no effect. In detail, we propose two smoothed probability--based classification methods, obtained as a by--product of the model estimation, which provide very similar results to those coming from a classical k--means clustering procedure. The application on four Eurozone market volatility series shows a successful classification of 144 European Central Bank announcements.

q-fin.GN