Asymmetric Return-Volatility Relation, Volatility Transmission and Implied Volatility Indexes

Abstract

The purpose of this study is twofold: First, to investigate the asymmetric return-volatility phenomenon with newly adapted robust volatility indexes VIX, VXN, VDAX and VSTOXX. Second, we examine the dynamic implied volatility transmissions across the implied volatility indexes using techniques such as Granger causality, generalized impulse response function and variance decomposition. We find pronounced negative and asymmetric return-volatility relationships between each volatility index and its corresponding stock market index. The VIX volatility index presents the highest asymmetric return-volatility relationship followed by the VSTOXX, VDAX and VXN volatility indexes, respectively. Moreover, there are significant spillover effects across the volatility indexes, bi-directional causality running between the volatility indexes. Further, in innovation accounting investigations, the VIX volatility index influences the other three volatility indexes considerably. However, in the European context, VDAX is the dominant source of information. Our findings have implications for trading strategies, hedging portfolios, pricing and hedging volatility derivatives, and risk management.