Predictability of Stock Returns and Asset Allocation Under Structural Breaks

43 Pages Posted: 30 Nov 2012

See all articles by Davide Pettenuzzo

Davide Pettenuzzo

Brandeis University - International Business School

Allan Timmermann

UCSD ; Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

Date Written: July 9, 2010

Abstract

This paper adopts a new approach that accounts for breaks to the parameters of return prediction models both in the historical estimation period and at future points. Empirically, we find evidence of multiple breaks in return prediction models based on the dividend yield or a short interest rate. Our analysis suggests that model instability is a very important source of investment risk for buy-and-hold investors with long horizons and that breaks can lead to a negative slope in the relationship between the investment horizon and the proportion of wealth that investors allocate to stocks. Once past and future breaks are considered, an investor with medium risk aversion reduces the allocation to stocks from close to 100% at short horizons to 10% at the five-year horizon. Welfare losses from ignoring breaks can amount to several hundred basis points per year for investors with long horizons.

Suggested Citation

Pettenuzzo, Davide and Timmermann, Allan, Predictability of Stock Returns and Asset Allocation Under Structural Breaks (July 9, 2010). Journal of Econometrics, Vol. 164, No. 1, September 2011, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2182775

Davide Pettenuzzo (Contact Author)

Brandeis University - International Business School ( email )

Mailstop 32
Waltham, MA 02454-9110
United States

Allan Timmermann

UCSD ( email )

9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla, CA 92093-0553
United States
858-534-0894 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://rady.ucsd.edu/people/faculty/timmermann/

Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

London
United Kingdom

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