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The Price of Variance Risk

Author

Listed:
  • Ian Dew-Becker
  • Stefano Giglio
  • Anh Le
  • Marius Rodriguez

Abstract

In the period 1996-2014, the average investor in the variance swap market was indifferent to news about future variance at horizons ranging from 1 month to 14 years. It is only purely transitory and unexpected realized variance that were priced. These results present a challenge to most structural models of the variance risk premium, such as the intertemporal CAPM, recent models with Epstein-Zin preferences and long-run risks, and models where institutional investors have value-at-risk constraints. The results also have strong implications for macro models where volatility affects investment decisions, suggesting that investors are not willing to pay to hedge shocks in expected economic uncertainty.

Suggested Citation

  • Ian Dew-Becker & Stefano Giglio & Anh Le & Marius Rodriguez, 2015. "The Price of Variance Risk," NBER Working Papers 21182, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:21182
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    JEL classification:

    • E44 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Financial Markets and the Macroeconomy
    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates

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