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International sign predictability of stock returns: The role of the United States

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  • Nyberg, Henri
  • Pönkä, Harri

Abstract

We study the directional predictability of monthly excess stock market returns in the U.S. and ten other markets using univariate and bivariate binary response models. We introduce a new bivariate (two-equation) probit model that allows us to examine the benefits of predicting the signs of returns jointly, focusing on the predictive power originating from the U.S. to foreign markets. Our in-sample and out-of-sample forecasting results indicate superior predictive performance of the new model over competing univariate binary response models, and conventional predictive regressions, by statistical measures and market timing performance. This highlights the importance of predictive information from the U.S. to the other markets providing also practical improvement in investors' market timing decisions.

Suggested Citation

  • Nyberg, Henri & Pönkä, Harri, 2016. "International sign predictability of stock returns: The role of the United States," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 323-338.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecmode:v:58:y:2016:i:c:p:323-338
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econmod.2016.06.013
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Excess stock return; Directional predictability; Bivariate probit model; Market timing;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C22 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Time-Series Models; Dynamic Quantile Regressions; Dynamic Treatment Effect Models; Diffusion Processes
    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G17 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Financial Forecasting and Simulation

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