Good idiosyncratic volatility, bad idiosyncratic volatility, and the cross-section of stock returns

We decompose the idiosyncratic volatility of stock returns into “good” and “bad” volatility components, which are associated with positive and negative returns, respectively. Using firm characteristics, we estimate a cross-sectional model for the expected idiosyncratic good minus bad volatility (EIGMB). The EIGMB outperforms expected idiosyncratic skewness (EISKEW) and standard time-series models in capturing conditional idiosyncratic return asymmetry. EIGMB is negatively and significantly associated with future stock returns, even after controlling for EIKSEW and exposure to systematic-skewness-related factors. Separating the role each specific characteristic plays in driving the predictive power of EIGMB for returns, we find that return on equity and momentum are two important elements of variation in EIGMB.