Risk Dynamics of Sectoral Stocks in BRICS Countries

This study attempts to contribute to the literature on risk exposures by investigating the dynamic volatility spillover transmissions and volatility co-movements between oil-risk factors and sectoral stocks in BRICS countries. A spillover index and DCC-GARCH estimation techniques are applied to identify the volatility transmission mechanism and co-movement among the series using daily data from 5th May 2007 to December 31st, 2016. To provide practical implications of the volatility transmissions, the estimated results are in turn used to compute and analyze the optimal weights and hedge ratios for oil-stock portfolio holdings. Our findings indicate the existence of significant volatility spillover interdependences and a time-varying volatility co-movement between oil-risk factors and sectoral stocks. However, the direction of spillover is shown to be somewhat unidirectional mainly from some selected sectors to oil-risk factors. Thus, we show that although volatility spillovers from oil-risk factors to sectors exist, the effect is at best, marginal. Finally, the optimal weights and hedge ratios show that oil-risk factors would be better suited as instruments for portfolio diversification rather than hedging to minimize oil price and portfolio risks which is important for risk management and diversification benefits.