An Analysis of Volatility Clustering of Equity Factor Strategies

Abstract

Volatility clustering is a well-known effect in equity markets. In simple meaning, volatility clustering refers to a tendency of large changes in asset prices to follow large changes and small changes in asset prices to follow small changes. We tested two hypotheses: (1) firstly, if there is a volatility clustering present in equity factor strategies, (2) secondly, whether past factor volatility predicts future factor performance. We were able to confirm the first hypothesis. However, a factor allocation trading strategy based on volatility predictability doesn’t perform well.

Keywords: factor investing, factor allocation, volatility clustering, volatility effect, equity long-short

JEL Classification: G11,