Markov-switching multifractal volatility spillovers among European stock markets during crisis periods

Abstract

This research investigates time-varying volatility spillovers and connectedness among European stock markets during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia – Ukraine war, two events that destabilized global markets. With data from 20 European stock markets spanning 17 December 2019, to 17 March 2022, we employ the TVP-VAR model and estimate volatility using the Markov-switching multifractal volatility technique. Findings from log-volatility estimates suggest that markets are highly connected, with price movement driven mainly by spillover effects from other markets in the same region. Most emerging markets are net receivers of volatility, with most of Europe’s major markets being net transmitters of shocks. The COVID-19 pandemic appears to have impacted European stock markets more than the Russia – Ukraine war. Shifting to the results obtained based on MSM volatility estimates, we find that markets strongly correlate for both high and low volatility. In the case of a high volatility regime, we document the dominance of Finland, Denmark, and Iceland over major European markets. In contrast, under a low volatility regime, we note the dominance of major markets, including the UK and France, over emerging markets in Europe. The findings reveal the diversification potential of emerging European stock markets.