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Bitcoin, gold, and commodities as safe havens for stocks: New insight through wavelet analysis

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  • Bouri, Elie
  • Shahzad, Syed Jawad Hussain
  • Roubaud, David
  • Kristoufek, Ladislav
  • Lucey, Brian

Abstract

In this study, we compare the safe-haven properties of Bitcoin, gold, and the commodity index against world, developed, emerging, USA, and Chinese stock market indices for the period 20 July 2010–22 February 2018. We apply the wavelet coherency approach and show that the overall dependence between Bitcoin/gold/commodities and the stock markets is not very strong at various time scales, with Bitcoin being the least dependent. We study the diversification potential at the tail of the return distribution through wavelet value-at-risk (VaR) and reveal that the degree of co-movement between gold and stock returns affects the portfolio’s VaR level. Specifically, the benefits of diversification vary in the time-frequency space, with Bitcoin exhibiting a superiority over both gold and commodities. Our findings are useful for investors and financial advisors searching for the best asset among Bitcoin, gold, and commodities to hedge extreme negative movements in stock market indices, while accounting for the heterogeneity in the horizons of investors.

Suggested Citation

  • Bouri, Elie & Shahzad, Syed Jawad Hussain & Roubaud, David & Kristoufek, Ladislav & Lucey, Brian, 2020. "Bitcoin, gold, and commodities as safe havens for stocks: New insight through wavelet analysis," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 156-164.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:quaeco:v:77:y:2020:i:c:p:156-164
    DOI: 10.1016/j.qref.2020.03.004
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Gold; Commodities; Bitcoin; Stock indices; Safe haven; Wavelets VaR;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C52 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Model Evaluation, Validation, and Selection
    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • G17 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Financial Forecasting and Simulation

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