Asset Allocation in Markets with Contagion: The Interplay between Volatilities, Jump Intensities, and Correlations

Konermann Patrick, Meinerding Christoph, Sedova Olga


Abstract
We study the impact of financial contagion on the dynamic asset allocation problem of a CRRA investor facing an incomplete market with two risky assets. We apply a Markov chain regime-switching framework with state-dependent jump intensities, diffusion volatilities and diffusion correlations. The key model feature that a switch to the bad contagion regime is triggered by a loss in one of the risky assets allows for the implementation of a hedging demand against contagion risk. Moreover, a state-dependent diffusion correlation combined with heterogeneity in jump intensities and volatilities can, e.g., generate a flight to quality effect upon a systemic jump.

Keywords
Asset allocation; Portfolio choice; Contagion; Systemic risk; Regime switching



Publication type
Research article (journal)

Peer reviewed
Yes

Publication status
Published

Year
2013

Journal
Review of Financial Economics

Volume
22

Issue
1

Pages range
36-46

Language
English

ISSN
1058-3300

DOI