Modeling and estimation of synchronization in size-sorted portfolio

Abstract

This paper examines the lead/lag relations between size-sorted portfolio returns through the lens of financial cycles governing these returns using a novel econometric methodology. Specifically, we develop a Markov-switching vector autoregressive model that allows for imperfect synchronization of cyclical regimes such as bull and bear market regimes in US large-, mid- and small-cap portfolio returns. This is achieved by characterizing the cycles of the mid- and small-cap portfolio returns in concordance with the cycle of large-cap portfolio returns together with potential phase shifts. We find that a three-regime model with distinct phase shifts across regimes characterizes the joint distribution of returns most adequately. These regimes are closely linked to the business cycle and small-cap portfolio returns are more sensitive to the cyclical phases than the large-cap portfolios. While all portfolios switch contemporaneously into boom and crash regimes, the large-cap portfolio leads the small-cap portfolio for switches to a moderate regime from a boom regime by a month. This suggests that small-cap portfolio adjusts with a delay to the relatively negative news compared to portfolios with larger market capitalization. We document that information diffusion accelerates in response to surprises related to the monetary policy. This reflects a link between financial returns and real economic activity from the viewpoint of 'financial accelerator theory' where portfolios with distinct size serve as a proxy for firm characteristics. (c) 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Central Bank of The Republic of Turkey. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/ 4.0/).