Using Maximum Drawdowns to Capture Tail Risk

22 Pages Posted: 1 Mar 2013 Last revised: 4 Mar 2013

See all articles by Wesley R. Gray

Wesley R. Gray

Alpha Architect

Jack Vogel

Alpha Architect; Villanova University

Date Written: March 1, 2013

Abstract

We propose the use of maximum drawdown, the maximum peak to trough loss across a time series of compounded returns, as a simple method to capture an element of risk unnoticed by linear factor models: tail risk. Unlike other tail-risk metrics, maximum drawdown is intuitive and easy-to-calculate. We look at maximum drawdowns to assess tail risks associated with market neutral strategies identified in the academic literature. Our evidence suggests that academic anomalies are not anomalous: all strategies endure large drawdowns at some point in the time series. Many of these losses would trigger margin calls and investor withdrawals, forcing an investor to liquidate.

Keywords: empirical asset pricing, max drawdown, tail-risk, anomalies

JEL Classification: G12, G14

Suggested Citation

Gray, Wesley R. and Vogel, Jack, Using Maximum Drawdowns to Capture Tail Risk (March 1, 2013). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2226689 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2226689

Wesley R. Gray (Contact Author)

Alpha Architect ( email )

19 East Eagle Road
Havertown, PA 19083
United States
7732304727 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://https://alphaarchitect.com/

Jack Vogel

Alpha Architect ( email )

19 E. Eagle Road
Havertown, PA 19083
United States
215-882-9983 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://alphaarchitect.com/

Villanova University ( email )

Villanova, PA 19085
United States

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
2,203
Abstract Views
9,341
Rank
12,802
PlumX Metrics