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Can Internet search queries help to predict stock market volatility?

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  • Dimpfl, Thomas
  • Jank, Stephan

Abstract

This paper studies the dynamics of stock market volatility and retail investor attention measured by internet search queries. We find a strong co-movement of stock market indices' realized volatility and the search queries for their names. Furthermore, Granger causality is bi-directional: high searches follow high volatility, and high volatility follows high searches. Using the latter feedback effect to predict volatility we find that search queries contain additional information about market volatility. They help to improve volatility forecasts in-sample and out-of-sample as well as for different forecasting horizons. Search queries are particularly useful to predict volatility in high-volatility phases.

Suggested Citation

  • Dimpfl, Thomas & Jank, Stephan, 2011. "Can Internet search queries help to predict stock market volatility?," University of Tübingen Working Papers in Business and Economics 18, University of Tuebingen, Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, School of Business and Economics.
  • Handle: RePEc:zbw:tuewef:18
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    realized volatility; forecasting; investor behavior; noise trader; search engine data;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G10 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - General (includes Measurement and Data)
    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • G17 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Financial Forecasting and Simulation

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