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The Random Matrix-based informative content of correlation matrices in stock markets

Author

Listed:
  • Laura Molero González

    (UAL - Universidad de Almería, UNIROMA - Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza" = Sapienza University [Rome])

  • Roy Cerqueti

    (GRANEM - Groupe de Recherche Angevin en Economie et Management - UA - Université d'Angers - Institut Agro Rennes Angers - Institut Agro - Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement)

  • Raffaele Mattera

    (UNIROMA - Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza" = Sapienza University [Rome])

  • J.E. Trinidad Segovia

    (UAL - Universidad de Almería)

Abstract

Studying and comprehending the eigenvalue distribution of the correlation matrices of stock returns is a powerful tool to delve into the complex structure of financial markets. This paper deals with the analysis of the role of eigenvalues and their associated eigenvectors of correlation matrices within the context of financial markets. We exploit the meaningfulness of Random Matrix Theory with the specific aspect of the Marchenko-Pastur distribution law to separate noise from true signal but with a special focus on giving an interpretation of what mean these signals in the financial context. We empirically show that the highest eigenvalue serves as a proxy of market spillover. Furthermore, based on an analysis of portfolio betas, we prove that the eigenvector associated with this eigenvalue is the market portfolio. These analyses of portfolio betas also reveal that the second and third-highest eigenvalues, and their associated eigenvectors, result in some cases of counter-behavior that makes them suitable to be a safe haven during high-volatility periods. The analysis is performed on a set of indices coming from developed and emerging countries over a time period ranging from 2015 to 2024.

Suggested Citation

  • Laura Molero González & Roy Cerqueti & Raffaele Mattera & J.E. Trinidad Segovia, 2025. "The Random Matrix-based informative content of correlation matrices in stock markets," Post-Print hal-05109019, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05109019
    DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.5176897
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://univ-angers.hal.science/hal-05109019v1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. An Pham Ngoc Nguyen & Marija Bezbradica & Martin Crane, 2025. "Community-level Contagion among Diverse Financial Assets," Papers 2509.15232, arXiv.org, revised Jan 2026.

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