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Journal of Finance Vol. 56 No. 1 2001

Variance‐ratio Statistics and High‐frequency Data: Testing for Changes in Intraday Volatility Patterns

Torben G. Andersen1; Tim Bollerslev2; Ashish Das1,3

1 Northwestern University · 2 Duke University · 3 U.S. National Science Foundation

Abstract

Variance‐ratio tests are routinely employed to assess the variation in return volatility over time and across markets. However, such tests are not statistically robust and can be seriously misleading within a high‐frequency context. We develop improved inference procedures using a Fourier Flexible Form regression framework. The practical significance is illustrated through tests for changes in the FX intraday volatility pattern following the removal of trading restrictions in Tokyo. Contrary to earlier evidence, we find nodiscernible changes outside of the Tokyo lunch period. We ascribe the difference to the fragile finite‐sample inference of conventional variance‐ratio procedures and a single outlier.

DOI
10.1111/0022-1082.00326
Volume
56
Issue
1
Pages
305-327
Language
en
Sources
bibtex:phds-export.bib openalex crossref

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