Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/82367 
Year of Publication: 
2006
Series/Report no.: 
Danmarks Nationalbank Working Papers No. 36
Publisher: 
Danmarks Nationalbank, Copenhagen
Abstract: 
This paper introduces an index that captures risk premiums of euro denominated assets based on sub-indices reflecting various credit spreads, implicit volatilities and bonds' excess return over stocks. The index reflects one common factor that accounts for general shifts in risk premiums across all markets. The development in the index is related to the business cycle, macroeconomic uncertainty and monetary policy. The risk index helps understand underlying market developments and can be applied in investment decisions - when the risk index rises (reflecting higher risk premiums), the level of the German yield curve falls, it becomes more flat and the curvature is reduced. The index also has use in the evaluation of financial stability. For instance, there is a tendency for the risk index to have more extreme tops than troughs, which indicates an asymmetry in investors' returns. Also, the covariation between sub-indices has risen since 1999, thereby indicating an increase in investors' vulnerability.
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size
450.21 kB





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.