IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/pal/assmgt/v25y2024i4d10.1057_s41260-024-00357-0.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Optimal trend-following rules in two-state regime-switching models

Author

Listed:
  • Valeriy Zakamulin

    (University of Agder)

  • Javier Giner

    (University of La Laguna)

Abstract

Academic research on trend-following investing has almost exclusively focused on testing various trading rules’ profitability. However, all existing trend-following rules are essentially ad hoc, lacking a solid theoretical justification for their optimality. This paper aims to address this gap in the literature. Specifically, we examine the optimal trend-following when the returns follow a two-state process, randomly switching between bull and bear markets. We show that if a Markov model governs the return process, it is optimal to follow the trend using the Exponential Moving Average rule. However, the Markov model is unrealistic because it does not represent the bull and bear market duration times correctly. It is more sensible to model the return process by a semi-Markov model where the state termination probability increases with age. Under this framework, the optimal trend-following rule resembles the Moving Average Convergence/Divergence rule. We confirm the validity of the semi-Markov model with an empirical study demonstrating that the theoretically optimal trading rule outperforms the popular 10-month Simple Moving Average and 12-month Momentum rules across a universe of international markets.

Suggested Citation

  • Valeriy Zakamulin & Javier Giner, 2024. "Optimal trend-following rules in two-state regime-switching models," Journal of Asset Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 25(4), pages 327-348, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:assmgt:v:25:y:2024:i:4:d:10.1057_s41260-024-00357-0
    DOI: 10.1057/s41260-024-00357-0
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1057/s41260-024-00357-0
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1057/s41260-024-00357-0?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ivo Welch & Amit Goyal, 2008. "A Comprehensive Look at The Empirical Performance of Equity Premium Prediction," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 21(4), pages 1455-1508, July.
    2. Giner, Javier & Zakamulin, Valeriy, 2023. "A regime-switching model of stock returns with momentum and mean reversion," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 122(C).
    3. Zarnowitz, Victor, 1985. "Recent Work on Business Cycles in Historical Perspective: A Review of Theories and Evidence," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 23(2), pages 523-580, June.
    4. Lim, Bryan Y. & Wang, Jiaguo (George) & Yao, Yaqiong, 2018. "Time-series momentum in nearly 100 years of stock returns," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 283-296.
    5. Zakamulin, Valeriy & Giner, Javier, 2022. "Time series momentum in the US stock market: Empirical evidence and theoretical analysis," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    6. Min Dai & Zhou Yang & Qing Zhang & Qiji Jim Zhu, 2016. "Optimal Trend Following Trading Rules," Mathematics of Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 41(2), pages 626-642, May.
    7. Timmermann, Allan, 2000. "Moments of Markov switching models," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 96(1), pages 75-111, May.
    8. Hansen, Peter Reinhard, 2005. "A Test for Superior Predictive Ability," Journal of Business & Economic Statistics, American Statistical Association, vol. 23, pages 365-380, October.
    9. De Bondt, Werner F M & Thaler, Richard, 1985. "Does the Stock Market Overreact?," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 40(3), pages 793-805, July.
    10. Valeriy Zakamulin & Javier Giner, 2020. "Trend following with momentum versus moving averages: a tale of differences," Quantitative Finance, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(6), pages 985-1007, June.
    11. Jonathan Ohn & Larry W. Taylor & Adrian Pagan, 2004. "Testing for duration dependence in economic cycles," Econometrics Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 7(2), pages 528-549, December.
    12. Campbell R. Harvey & Yan Liu, 2020. "False (and Missed) Discoveries in Financial Economics," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 75(5), pages 2503-2553, October.
    13. Campbell R. Harvey & Yan Liu, 2020. "False (and Missed) Discoveries in Financial Economics," Papers 2006.04269, arXiv.org.
    14. João Cruz & João Nicolau & Paulo M. M. Rodrigues, 2021. "Structural Changes in the Duration of Bull Markets and Business Cycle Dynamics," Asia-Pacific Financial Markets, Springer;Japanese Association of Financial Economics and Engineering, vol. 28(3), pages 333-352, September.
    15. R. Cont, 2001. "Empirical properties of asset returns: stylized facts and statistical issues," Quantitative Finance, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 1(2), pages 223-236.
    16. De Bondt, Werner F M & Thaler, Richard H, 1990. "Do Security Analysts Overreact?," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 80(2), pages 52-57, May.
    17. Gerhard Bry & Charlotte Boschan, 1971. "Cyclical Analysis of Time Series: Selected Procedures and Computer Programs," NBER Books, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc, number bry_71-1.
    18. Valeriy Zakamulin, 2023. "Revisiting the duration dependence in the US stock market cycles," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 55(4), pages 357-368, January.
    19. Y. Lemp'eri`ere & C. Deremble & P. Seager & M. Potters & J. P. Bouchaud, 2014. "Two centuries of trend following," Papers 1404.3274, arXiv.org.
    20. Gerhard Bry & Charlotte Boschan, 1971. "Foreword to "Cyclical Analysis of Time Series: Selected Procedures and Computer Programs"," NBER Chapters, in: Cyclical Analysis of Time Series: Selected Procedures and Computer Programs, pages -1, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    21. Jobson, J D & Korkie, Bob M, 1981. "Performance Hypothesis Testing with the Sharpe and Treynor Measures," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 36(4), pages 889-908, September.
    22. Duy Nguyen & Jingzhi Tie & Qing Zhang, 2014. "An Optimal Trading Rule Under a Switchable Mean-Reversion Model," Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications, Springer, vol. 161(1), pages 145-163, April.
    23. Yvette S. Harman & Thomas W. Zuehlke, 2007. "Nonlinear duration dependence in stock market cycles," Review of Financial Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 16(4), pages 350-362.
    24. Adrian R. Pagan & Kirill A. Sossounov, 2003. "A simple framework for analysing bull and bear markets," Journal of Applied Econometrics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 18(1), pages 23-46.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Giner, Javier & Zakamulin, Valeriy, 2023. "A regime-switching model of stock returns with momentum and mean reversion," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 122(C).
    2. Valeriy Zakamulin, 2023. "Not all bull and bear markets are alike: insights from a five-state hidden semi-Markov model," Risk Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 25(1), pages 1-25, March.
    3. Erik Kole & Dick Dijk, 2017. "How to Identify and Forecast Bull and Bear Markets?," Journal of Applied Econometrics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(1), pages 120-139, January.
    4. Zakamulin, Valeriy & Giner, Javier, 2023. "Optimal trend-following with transaction costs," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    5. Zakamulin, Valeriy & Giner, Javier, 2022. "Time series momentum in the US stock market: Empirical evidence and theoretical analysis," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    6. Candelon, Bertrand & Metiu, Norbert & Straetmans, Stefan, 2013. "Disentangling economic recessions and depressions," Discussion Papers 43/2013, Deutsche Bundesbank.
    7. Stijn Claessens & M. Ayhan Kose & Marco E. Terrones, 2011. "Financial Cycles: What? How? When?," NBER International Seminar on Macroeconomics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 7(1), pages 303-344.
    8. Claessens, Stijn & Kose, M. Ayhan & Terrones, Marco E., 2012. "How do business and financial cycles interact?," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 87(1), pages 178-190.
    9. Straetmans, S.T.M. & Candelon, B. & Ahmed, J., 2012. "Predicting and capitalizing on stock market bears in the U.S," Research Memorandum 019, Maastricht University, Maastricht Research School of Economics of Technology and Organization (METEOR).
    10. Adrian Pagan, 2005. "Some Econometric Analysis Of Constructed Binary Time Series," CAMA Working Papers 2005-07, Centre for Applied Macroeconomic Analysis, Crawford School of Public Policy, The Australian National University.
    11. Gert Elaut & Michael Frömmel & Alexander Mende, 2017. "Duration Dependence, Behavioral Restrictions, and the Market Timing Ability of Commodity Trading Advisors," International Review of Finance, International Review of Finance Ltd., vol. 17(3), pages 427-450, September.
    12. Minyou Fan & Youwei Li & Ming Liao & Jiadong Liu, 2022. "A reexamination of factor momentum: How strong is it?," The Financial Review, Eastern Finance Association, vol. 57(3), pages 585-615, August.
    13. Terence Tai-Leung Chong & Zimu Li & Haiqiang Chen & Melvin Hinich, 2010. "An investigation of duration dependence in the American stock market cycle," Journal of Applied Statistics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 37(8), pages 1407-1416.
    14. Bracke, Philippe, 2013. "How long do housing cycles last? A duration analysis for 19 OECD countries," Journal of Housing Economics, Elsevier, vol. 22(3), pages 213-230.
    15. Haase, Felix & Neuenkirch, Matthias, 2023. "Predictability of bull and bear markets: A new look at forecasting stock market regimes (and returns) in the US," International Journal of Forecasting, Elsevier, vol. 39(2), pages 587-605.
    16. Maryam Akbari Nasiri, 2020. "How Long Do Housing Cycles Last? A Duration Analysis For Emerging Economies," Bulletin of Monetary Economics and Banking, Bank Indonesia, vol. 23(2), pages 179-200, July.
    17. Don Harding & Adrian Pagan, 2006. "The Econometric Analysis of Constructed Binary Time Series," Department of Economics - Working Papers Series 963, The University of Melbourne.
    18. Adrian pagan & Don Harding, 2006. "The Econometric Analysis of Constructed Binary Time Series. Working paper #1," NCER Working Paper Series 1, National Centre for Econometric Research.
    19. Harding, Don & Pagan, Adrian, 2011. "An Econometric Analysis of Some Models for Constructed Binary Time Series," Journal of Business & Economic Statistics, American Statistical Association, vol. 29(1), pages 86-95.
    20. Mr. Thomas Helbling & Mr. Tamim Bayoumi, 2003. "Are they All in the Same Boat? the 2000-2001 Growth Slowdown and the G-7 Business Cycle Linkages," IMF Working Papers 2003/046, International Monetary Fund.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Markov model; Semi-Markov model; Bull–bear markets; Optimal trend-following; Moving averages;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • G17 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Financial Forecasting and Simulation

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:pal:assmgt:v:25:y:2024:i:4:d:10.1057_s41260-024-00357-0. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.palgrave-journals.com/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.