Does integration in the Asian frontier, emerging and developed stock markets conceal a hidden opportunity for portfolio diversification?

Abstract

In the current scenario where Asian markets are growing at an enormous rate, they present a lucrative opportunity for investors to reap better rewards. However, the steep rise in the interdependencies of the markets within the Asian belt has made the investment scenario complex for investors. This study examines the integrated behavior of frontier, emerging, and developed stock markets in Asia. The study used unconditional correlation analysis and a VAR framework for the period ranging from August 1, 2000, to March 31, 2019. In the course of the study, it emerged that the high-level integration between emerging and developed stock markets in this region creates an unfavorable landscape for portfolio diversification. However, there remains an exciting opportunity with safe asset allocation strategies to derive diversification benefits by investing in dynamic and surging Asian frontier stock markets.