Economic Resilience in Post-Pandemic India: Analysing Stock Volatility and Global Links Using VAR-DCC-GARCH and Wavelet Approach
Economic Resilience in Post-Pandemic India: Analysing Stock Volatility and Global Links Using VAR-DCC-GARCH and Wavelet Approach
Abstract: This study explores the resilience of the Indian stock market in the face of global
shocks in the post-pandemic era, focusing on its volatility dynamics and interconnections
with international indices. Through a combination of Vector Autoregression (VAR), DCC-
GARCH, and wavelet analysis, we analysed the time-varying relationships between the
National Stock Exchange (NSE) of India and major global indices, including those from the
U.S., Europe, Asia-Pacific, Hong Kong and Japan. Time series data of the selected indices
have been collected for the period 1 January 2021 to 30 September 2024. Results reveal
Academic Editor: Svetlozar that while the NSE demonstrates resilience through rapid adjustments following shocks,
(Zari) Rachev it remains vulnerable to substantial spillover effects from markets such as the S&P 500
Received: 20 November 2024 and European indices. Wavelet coherence analysis identifies periods of high correlation,
Revised: 1 January 2025 particularly during major economic events, indicating that regional and global factors
Accepted: 2 January 2025 can periodically compromise market stability. Moreover, the DCC-GARCH results show
Published: 6 January 2025
a persistent but fluctuating correlation with specific markets, reflecting a connected and
Citation: Maharana, N., Panigrahi, A. adaptive nature of the Indian market that is influenced by regional dynamics. This study
K., Chaudhury, S. K., Uprety, M., Barik,
emphasises the importance of strategic risk management. It highlights critical periods
P., & Kulkarni, P. (2025). Economic
and indices that policymakers and investors should monitor closely to understand the
Resilience in Post-Pandemic India:
Analysing Stock Volatility and Global
economic resilience of the Indian financial market better. Further research could explore
Links Using VAR-DCC-GARCH and sector-specific impacts and the role of macroeconomic factors in shaping market responses.
Wavelet Approach. Journal of Risk and
Financial Management, 18(1), 18. Keywords: volatility spillover; VAR; DCC-GARCH; global indices; economic shocks;
[Link] Diebold–Yilmaz spillover index
jrfm18010018
shocks became imperative. This research investigates whether the Indian stock market
exhibits resilience compared to its global counterparts in the post-pandemic era, utilising
advanced econometric models, namely VAR-BEKK-GARCH and wavelet analysis. Focus-
ing on the interactions between the Indian market and various foreign indices, this study
seeks to identify the nature and extent of spillover effects, contributing valuable insights to
financial stability and risk management.
The research problem centres on verifying the ability of the Indian stock market to
withstand external shocks and its interdependence with international markets. Over the
past two decades, the study of return and volatility spillovers across stock market indices
has become a prominent area of research, driven by both their practical implications and
the inherently volatile nature of financial markets, which fluctuate over time (Bonga-Bonga
& Phume, 2022; Booth et al., 1997; Mukherjee & Mishra, 2010; Yarovaya et al., 2016). The
increasing globalisation of financial markets and rapid technological advancements have
led to a deeper integration of emerging markets into the global economy, adding complex-
ity to the interactions between markets. This integration has significant implications for
portfolio management, as volatility spillovers can diminish the diversification benefits in
emerging markets, complicating the management of international portfolios. Addition-
ally, global crises, such as the Global Financial Crisis (GFC), the European Debt Crisis
(EDC), trade tensions, the COVID-19 pandemic, and geopolitical conflicts, have spurred
heightened academic interest in the contagion and interconnectedness of stock markets
across different periods: before, during, and after these disruptions (Bhowmik & Wang,
2020; Dhingra et al., 2024; Maharana et al., 2024). While previous studies have explored the
resilience of financial markets during crises, limited research has specifically addressed the
post-pandemic recovery phase and its implications for the Indian market (Maharana et al.,
2024; Tiwary et al., 2022). This study aims to fill this gap by applying a multifaceted ana-
lytical framework incorporating time-series econometrics and wavelet transforms. Doing
so will provide a better understanding of market dynamics, helping investors and policy-
makers assess the potential vulnerabilities and strengths of the Indian financial system in a
rapidly changing global environment.
This research addresses the need for robust financial frameworks in emerging
economies, where the repercussions of global shocks can be particularly pronounced
in recent times. Understanding the resilience of the Indian economy in a period of
political stability, increased global reach, and bilateral relations not only aids investors in
making better decisions but also equips policymakers with the necessary tools to enhance
regulatory frameworks and safeguard against future crises. As the global economy
continues to evolve, insights from this study will contribute to the ongoing discourse on
financial stability and economic resilience, ultimately promoting sustainable growth in
the Indian context.
2. Literature Review
The mechanisms of international information transmission between markets, evident
through both returns and volatility, hold significant theoretical and practical importance.
Volatility spillovers occur when fluctuations in one market incite similar volatility in others,
which becomes especially pronounced during market turmoil, reducing the advantages
of international portfolio diversification for investors. This effect has been intensified by
recent technological advancements, which have improved domestic investors’ access to
global information and accelerated information flow between markets. Examining return
and volatility spillovers across stock markets in various geographical regions is crucial,
enhancing our understanding of international financial interconnectedness.
J. Risk Financial Manag. 2025, 18, 18 3 of 24
2020). The Indian market’s recovery has been uneven, with sectors like agriculture and
manufacturing showing resilience. In contrast, others, such as retail and services, have
gradually bounced back (Tamhane, 2020). The Indian stock market, as one of the largest in
the emerging market space, provides a unique case study for analysing these dynamics,
particularly as it navigates the recovery phase post-pandemic.
Moreover, the literature on financial market integration portrayed the significance
of understanding cross-border interactions in the context of resilience. For instance, Eun
and Resnick (1984) established that financial markets are increasingly interconnected, with
information flows and capital movements influencing market behaviour (Giudici et al.,
2020; Raddant & Kenett, 2021). Recent studies have built on this foundation, highlighting
the importance of analysing not only the direct relationships between markets but also the
spillover effects of macroeconomic shocks (Aggarwal & Jha, 2023; Mohanasundaram et al.,
2024; Raddant & Kenett, 2021).
Research on volatility spillover between global financial markets has highlighted the
increasing interconnectedness and complex dynamics among various asset classes and
regions, especially during times of crisis. Jebabli et al. (2022) examined data from MSCI
World, Emerging, and European stock markets, revealing that the COVID-19 pandemic
caused significant volatility spillover, with a pattern distinct from that observed during the
2008 financial crisis. Similarly, Khan (2024) and Li (2021) explored the volatility transmission
between developed and emerging markets, finding that developed markets primarily
drive volatility spillover to emerging markets, underscoring the dominant influence of
mature economies on the stability of developing ones. Shahzad et al. (2021), focusing on
China’s stock market across various sectors, observed that the negative impact of volatility
spillovers exceeded the positive effects during the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting a
heightened need for investor caution. Erdoğan et al. (2020) studied the period between
2013 and 2019 to assess volatility transmission from the Islamic stock market index to
foreign exchange rates in India, Turkey, and Malaysia, finding a significant spillover from
the Turkish Islamic index to exchange rates, while other nations exhibited limited effects.
Further studies on regional volatility interactions have also provided valuable in-
sights for investment strategies. Using the DCC-GARCH technique, Zhong and Liu (2021)
examined the volatility spillover between Chinese and Southeast Asian stock markets, con-
cluding that portfolio diversification across these countries could reduce risk. Sarwar et al.
(2020) investigated the relationship betwen oil market volatility and stock market indexes
in India, Pakistan, and China, finding that volatility consistently spills from the oil mar-
ket to stock markets in these regions, limiting the effectiveness of oil assets as tools for
diversification in these economies. Together, these studies underscore the importance of
understanding cross-market spillovers in asset-specific and broader regional contexts, as
they carry significant implications for investors and policymakers aiming to mitigate risks
and design resilient investment portfolios.
Research on volatility in financial markets frequently references the GARCH family
of models to capture the persistence of volatility shocks. In the past decade, many such
studies have focussed on the interdependencies using various indices of groups of nations,
including the influence of oil prices, exchange rates, etc. Kishor and Singh (2014) explore
the relationship between stock return volatility in BRICS economies and external influences,
mainly focusing on the 2008 financial crisis and its effects from 2007 to 2013. They observed
that, with the exceptions of Brazil and China, the stock markets of BRICS countries are
significantly influenced by U.S. market movements, highlighting substantial differences
in volatility among these economies. Similarly, Tripathy (2022) addresses this subject
by examining the stock markets of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS)
through advanced econometric modelling, including the GARCH, APARCH, ARFIMA, and
J. Risk Financial Manag. 2025, 18, 18 5 of 24
with GPSC and AAXJ, respectively, to avoid model-building issues. By analysing these
indices together, we try to uncover the interconnectedness and spillover effects within and
across markets, enhancing our understanding of the global financial landscape in the wake
of the pandemic.
The selection of the study period, from 1 January 2021 to 30 September 2024, focuses on
the post-pandemic era, a crucial phase in global economic recovery. It can be observed from
Figure 1 that there was a steep fall in the stock market indices during COVID-19, and almost
all indices had recovered entirely from this blood bath by the first quarter of 2021. From
April 2021, the world witnessed the initial recovery phase from the COVID-19 pandemic as
vaccination efforts ramped up and economies gradually reopened. This period captures
the effects of various fiscal and monetary policies implemented globally to mitigate the
pandemic’s impact. Moreover, it coincides with significant global events such as supply
chain disruptions, inflationary pressures, the Russia–Ukraine war, and ongoing geopolitical
tensions in the Middle East. These factors make this period ideal for assessing the resilience
of the Indian stock market to external shocks, providing insights into how it has adapted to
a volatile post-pandemic global environment. The end of September 2024 marks a suitable
cutoff to include recent developments and capture mid-term economic responses to these
global shocks.
3.2. Method
VAR (Vector Autoregression) Model: Using the Augmented Dickey–Fuller (ADF) test,
we verified the stationarity of the return series. Then, we verified the Akaike information
criterion (AIC) or Schwarz Bayesian Criterion (SBC) to determine the optimal lag length
for the VAR model. The next step is to fit a VAR model using the selected lag length. The
VAR model can be represented as:
where Yt is the vector of returns, ccc is a vector of constants, Ai are the coefficient matrices,
and ϵt is the vector of error terms.
Impulse Response Functions (IRFs): Analyse how shocks to one index affect others
over time using IRFs, which can be computed after estimating the VAR model.
Diebold–Yilmaz Spillover Index: The Diebold–Yilmaz spillover index method quan-
tifies the extent of interconnectedness and volatility spillovers across financial markets
(Diebold & Yilmaz, 2009). It begins with estimating a Vector Autoregressive (VAR) model
for the returns of the selected indices, capturing their dynamic relationships. The next
step involves calculating the Forecast Error Variance Decomposition (FEVD), which parti-
tions each variable’s total forecast error variance (index) into contributions from shocks
to itself and other indices. The Diebold–Yilmaz spillover index is then computed using
these variance decompositions, measuring the proportion of the forecast error variance of
J. Risk Financial Manag. 2025, 18, 18 7 of 24
one index attributable to shocks in other indices. The index aggregates these cross-market
contributions to reflect the total spillover effect within the system, providing a quantitative
assessment of how market shocks propagate across different indices. The Diebold–Yilmaz
spillover index is estimated using the following equations:
∑i ̸= j σij2
Total Spillover =
∑in=1 σii2
J. Risk Financial Manag. 2025, 18, x FOR PEER 2REVIEW 7 of 26
where σij is the forecast error variance attributable to shocks from variable ‘j’ to variable ‘i’,
and ‘n’ is the number of variables.
AAXJ FTSE
110 9,000
100 8,000
90 7,000
80
6,000
70
5,000
60
50 4,000
I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
HSI N225
44,000
32,000
40,000
28,000
36,000
24,000 32,000
28,000
20,000
24,000
16,000 20,000
16,000
12,000 I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III
I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
STOXX GSPC
550 6,000
500
5,000
450
400 4,000
350
3,000
300
2,000
250 I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III
I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
NSE
30,000
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
[Link]
Figure Trendofofindices
indicesfrom
from the
the day
day when
when COVID-19
COVID-19was
wasdeclared
declaredasasa aglobal pandemic.
global pandemic.
3.2. Method
VAR (Vector Autoregression) Model: Using the Augmented Dickey–Fuller (ADF)
test, we verified the stationarity of the return series. Then, we verified the Akaike infor-
mation criterion (AIC) or Schwarz Bayesian Criterion (SBC) to determine the optimal lag
length for the VAR model. The next step is to fit a VAR model using the selected lag length.
J. Risk Financial Manag. 2025, 18, 18 8 of 24
The Univariate GARCH Estimation: For each time series (index), estimate a univariate
GARCH model. A common choice is the GARCH (1,1) model, which can be expressed as:
R t = µ + ϵt
p q
σt2 = α0 + ∑ αi ϵt2−i + ∑ β j σt2− j
i =1 j =1
In this framework, Rt is the return at time t, µ is the mean return, ϵt is the innovation
or shock at time t, zt is a standard normal variable, σt is the conditional variance, and
α0 , αi , β j are parameters that need to be estimated. The first step is to fit a univariate
GARCH model for each asset’s returns to capture their volatility dynamics. Use Maximum
Likelihood Estimation (MLE) to estimate the parameters ω, α, and β for each univariate
GARCH model.
DCC-GARCH Model: The Dynamic Conditional Correlation Generalised Autore-
gressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity (DCC-GARCH) model is a powerful econometric
technique for analysing time-varying correlations between multiple financial time series.
This model extends the standard GARCH approach by allowing the conditional correla-
tions between assets to vary over time, capturing dynamic relationships more flexibly. The
DCC-GARCH model operates in two steps: first, univariate GARCH models are fitted to
each series to estimate conditional variances; then, a dynamic correlation matrix can be cal-
culated using standardised residuals from these GARCH models. This two-step approach
helps identify how correlations evolve in response to market events, which is crucial for un-
derstanding volatility spillovers and portfolio risk management. The DCC-GARCH model
is prevalent for financial market analysis because it captures the co-movement of assets in
a dynamic and time-sensitive manner, making it helpful in assessing interconnected risks
and market dependencies (Engle, 2002). The DCC model is specified as follows:
′
Conditional Correlation: Qt = (1 − α − β) Q + α ẑt−1 zt−1 + β Qt−1 .
In this equation, Qt is the conditional correlation matrix, Q is the unconditional
correlation matrix of the residuals, while α and β are parameters that control the weights
of the previous correlations and residuals, respectively, with α, β ≥ 0 and α + β < 1. The
DCC model effectively captures how correlations change over time based on the lagged
information from the standardised residuals.
Wavelet Coherence (WCOH): WCOH complements the analyses by quantifying the
local correlation between the Indian stock market and selected global indices over time
and frequency. This method helps assess how the strength of the relationship between the
Indian market and global indices varies during different market conditions (Grinsted et al.,
2004; Torrence & Compo, 1998).
The mathematical formulation of WCOH is as follows:
| XWT ( a, b)|2
WCOH ( a, b) =
|W1 ( a, b)|2 |W2 ( a, b)|2
where W 1 and W 2 are the wavelet transforms of the individual time series. The WCOH
provides insights into the strength and significance of the correlation between the series at
various scales and time points.
J. Risk Financial Manag. 2025, 18, 18 9 of 24
4. Observations
4.1. Descriptive Statistics
It can be noted from Table 2 that the means return range widely, with N225 (12.7030)
and NSE (12.4723) showing the highest average returns, while AAXJ has a slight negative
mean (−0.0102), suggesting a slight downward trend. The median values vary, with several
indices like AAXJ, HSI, and STOXX at zero, indicating a high occurrence of neutral or zero
returns. Notably, the maximum and minimum values for N225 and NSE reveal extreme
fluctuations, with N225 reaching a peak of 3217.0410 and a low of −4451.2793, signifying
high volatility. Standard deviations confirm this volatility, with N225 and NSE exhibiting
substantial variability (400.5728 and 161.6786, respectively). Skewness values suggest
that most distributions are slightly left-skewed, except for AAXJ and HSI, which show
mild right-skewness, implying asymmetry and occasional more significant positive or
negative returns. The high kurtosis values, especially for N225 (23.5536) and NSE (10.5541),
suggest heavy-tailed distributions, indicating more frequent extreme returns than a normal
distribution. The significant Jarque–Bera statistics confirm that none of the indices returns
follow a normal distribution, primarily due to their skewed and leptokurtic nature.
Table 3 presents the Augmented Dickey–Fuller (ADF) and Phillips–Perron (PP) tests
for stationarity, revealing consistent results across the variables. At the level (original form),
none of the indices (except FTSE in both ADF and PP tests) are stationary, as indicated
by high p-values (greater than 0.05). This suggests the presence of a unit root, implying
non-stationarity in most of the indices at their levels. However, when differenced once, all
variables become stationary, evidenced by highly significant p-values (0.000) in both ADF
and PP tests, meaning they reject the null hypothesis of a unit root at the first difference.
AAXJ FTSE
110 8,500
100 8,000
90
7,500
80
7,000
70
60 6,500
50 6,000
I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III
2021 2022 2023 2024 2021 2022 2023 2024
HSI N225
32,000 44,000
28,000 40,000
24,000 36,000
20,000 32,000
16,000 28,000
12,000 24,000
I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III
2021 2022 2023 2024 2021 2022 2023 2024
STOXX GSPC
560 6,000
520 5,500
480 5,000
440 4,500
400 4,000
360 3,500
I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III
2021 2022 2023 2024 2021 2022 2023 2024
NSE
28,000
24,000
20,000
16,000
12,000
I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III
2021 2022 2023 2024
Figure 3. Trend
Trend of
of the
the selected
selected indices
indices (post-pandemic).
(post-pandemic).
J. Risk Financial Manag. 2025, 18, 18
x FOR PEER REVIEW 1212of
of 26
24
-0.050 -0.06
I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III
2021 2022 2023 2024 2021 2022 2023 2024
0.08 0.05
0.04 0.00
0.00 -0.05
-0.04 -0.10
-0.08 -0.15
I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III
2021 2022 2023 2024 2021 2022 2023 2024
Figure
Figure 4.
4. Daily
Daily return
return plot
plot of
of the
the selected
selected indices
indices (post-pandemic).
(post-pandemic).
J. Risk Financial Manag. 2025, 18, 18 13 of 24
The impulse response graphs given in Figure 5 illustrate how the National Stock
Exchange (NSE) reacts to unexpected shocks or innovations from eight global indices over
10 days. Each plot provides insight into the NSE’s sensitivity to a one-standard-deviation
innovation originating from a particular international market. Observing these responses
J. Risk Financial Manag. 2025, 18, 18 14 of 24
0.003 0.003
0.002 0.002
0.001 0.001
0.000 0.000
-0.001 -0.001
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
0.003 0.003
0.002 0.002
0.001 0.001
0.000 0.000
-0.001 -0.001
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
0.003 0.003
0.002 0.002
0.001 0.001
0.000 0.000
-0.001 -0.001
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Figure 5. Impulse
Impulse response
response curves
curves for the
the response
response of
of NSE-India
NSE-India to the
the innovations
innovations of global
global indices.
indices.
In most
The cases,
prompt the immediate
decline also reflects response of the NSE
how rapidly the NSEto a adjusts
shock from a global
to these index
external is
fac-
noticeable
tors, with within the first
the impact one to
fading as three [Link]
the local For instance,
absorbs indices like AAXJ the
and processes (Asianewex-Japan)
infor-
and FTSE
mation. In (UK) appear
contrast, to have
indices likeathesubstantial initialand
N225 (Japan) impact,
STOXX with the response
(Europe) exhibitofathe NSE
smaller
spiking
initial withinindicating
impact, this earlyatimeframe.
more limited This suggests
influence on that
the [Link] NSEGSPC is (S&P
highly responsive
500) also shows to
sudden changes in these indices, possibly due to economic ties, trading
a noticeable impact, though slightly less intense, which reflects the influence of the global patterns, or investor
sentiment
and linked to
U.S. markets onthese regions.
the NSE. The However, after this intervals
shaded confidence initial surge,
around the response
each responsegenerally
line
starts to decline, indicating that while the NSE reacts quickly to foreign
also provide additional insight into the stability of these reactions. Tighter intervals reflect market shocks, this
areaction is often short-lived.
higher confidence level in the measured response. In comparison, wider intervals denote
The prompt decline
more significant uncertainty, also suggesting
reflects howthatrapidly the NSE
the impact of adjusts to these
some indices onexternal
the NSEfactors,
is less
with the impact
consistent or more fading
variableas the
over local
[Link] absorbs and processes the new information.
In contrast,
The Grangerindices like thetests
causality N225in(Japan)
Table 6and STOXX
reveal (Europe)
significant exhibit a smaller
bidirectional influencesinitial
be-
impact,the
tween indicating
NSE and aseveralmore limited influence
international on the
indices. NSE.
AAXJ, FTSE,GSPC (S&Pand
GSPC, 500) also shows
STOXX signifi-a
noticeable
cantly impact,
Granger cause though
the NSEslightly
at theless
1%intense,
level ofwhich reflectsindicating
significance, the influence thatofpast
the values
global
and
of [Link]
these markets on the
help [Link]
predict Themovements.
shaded confidence
However,intervals
HSI and around
N225eachdo notresponse line
show sig-
also provide additional insight into the stability of these reactions.
nificant causality towards the NSE. Conversely, the NSE Granger causes FTSE and N225 Tighter intervals reflect
at the 5% level of significance, suggesting weak predictive power of the NSE over these
indices. The relationship with AAXJ and STOXX is poor, with marginal significance, while
J. Risk Financial Manag. 2025, 18, 18 15 of 24
a higher confidence level in the measured response. In comparison, wider intervals denote
more significant uncertainty, suggesting that the impact of some indices on the NSE is less
consistent or more variable over time.
The Granger causality tests in Table 6 reveal significant bidirectional influences be-
tween the NSE and several international indices. AAXJ, FTSE, GSPC, and STOXX signifi-
cantly Granger cause the NSE at the 1% level of significance, indicating that past values
of these indices help predict NSE movements. However, HSI and N225 do not show sig-
nificant causality towards the NSE. Conversely, the NSE Granger causes FTSE and N225
at the 5% level of significance, suggesting weak predictive power of the NSE over these
indices. The relationship with AAXJ and STOXX is poor, with marginal significance, while
no causality is observed from NSE to GSPC or HSI. It shows a stronger external influence
on the NSE than its influence on global indices, except for selective interactions.
NSE-AAXJ NSE-STOXX
18 24
16
20
14
12 16
10
12
8
6 8
4
4
2
0 0
IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III
2021 2022 2023 2024 2021 2022 2023 2024
NSE-GSPC NSE-FTSE
16 20
14
16
12
10 12
8
8
6
4
4
2
0 0
IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III
2021 2022 2023 2024 2021 2022 2023 2024
NSE-N225 NSE-HSI
16 12
14
10
12
10 8
8 6
6
4
4
2 2
0 0
IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III
2021 2022 2023 2024 2021 2022 2023 2024
Figure 6.
Figure 6. Diebold–Yilmaz
Diebold–Yilmaz spillover
spillover index
index (200-day
(200-day window,
window,10
10step
stephorizons,
horizons,22lag).
lag).
insights into their unique volatility structures. The mean return (µ) for the NSE is positive
and statistically significant, indicating that the NSE tends to yield positive returns on
average. The persistence in volatility, shown by high β values across indices (e.g., 0.8228 for
NSE, 0.8903 for AAXJ, and 0.8804 for HSI), suggests that past volatility strongly influences
current volatility, a common trait in financial markets. Significant α values, particularly
for indices like the STOXX (0.1512) and FTSE (0.1264), highlight the immediate impact of
past shocks on present volatility. This effect is critical in understanding how recent market
events can affect ongoing risk levels for each index.
The DCC parameters, dcc α1 and dcc β1 , capture the dynamics of time-varying correla-
tions between the indices. The positive, significant estimates for both dcca1 (0.0202) and
dccb1 (0.8241) suggest that correlations between the indices are both influenced by recent
correlation shocks and exhibit a high level of persistence over time. This interconnectedness
implies that volatility shocks in one market can lead to sustained correlation changes across
others, a sign of volatility spillover where risks and returns are not isolated but are instead
transmitted across global markets. This is particularly evident during turbulent periods,
where persistent correlations may amplify systemic risk. The high β values for each index
indicate strong volatility persistence, meaning that once volatility increases in one index,
it is likely to remain elevated, affecting not only that market but potentially increasing
risk across correlated markets as well. Further, the information criteria values, with a
low Akaike score of −47.557, further support the model’s appropriateness for capturing
these dynamics. These criteria penalise model complexity and suggest that the model
effectively balances fit and simplicity. As such, the residual Q (20) and squared residual
J. Risk Financial Manag. 2025, 18, 18 18 of 24
diagnostics Q2 (20) show the absence of autocorrelation in the residuals and confirm that
the model has adequately captured higher moments or volatility clustering. Squared resid-
uals typically exhibit autocorrelation if there are unmodeled patterns in the volatility. This
outcome validates the model’s specification, showing that it fits the data well without
leaving unexplained structures in the returns or volatility.
The time-varying correlations between India and other global markets (Asia Pacific,
USA, Europe, UK, Hong Kong, and Japan) estimated using the DCC-GARCH model
presented in Figure 7, reveal significant insights into the dynamic interconnectedness of
India’s financial market. The correlations with Asia Pacific and Hong Kong are relatively
low, typically ranging from 0.15 to 0.35, indicating modest but fluctuating linkages driven
by regional economic events. The correlation with the USA is similarly low, suggesting
distinct economic influences. However, certain global financial events cause brief increases
in co-movement. In contrast, correlations with Europe and the UK are generally higher,
J. Risk Financial Manag. 2025, 18, x FOR PEER REVIEW 19 of 26
often ranging between 0.25 and 0.55, reflecting stronger financial linkages, possibly due to
similar responses to global economic conditions and investment flows. Japan’s correlation
with India shows moderate fluctuations, suggesting limited alignment influenced by unique
volatility.
regionalThis
and outcome
economicvalidates
policies. the model’soccasional
However, specification, showing
alignment thatduring
occurs it fits the data
broader
well without leaving unexplained
Asian economic shifts. structures in the returns or volatility.
Figure 7. Time-varying correlation plot between India and other global indices.
Figure 7. Time-varying correlation plot between India and other global indices.
4.5. Wavelet Coherence
The time-varying
The correlations
wavelet coherence graphbetween
visuallyIndia and
depicts theother global markets
time-varying (Asiabetween
correlation Pacific,
USA,
twoEurope, UK,data
time series Hong Kong,
across and Japan)
different estimated
frequencies, using how
showing the DCC-GARCH model
their relationship pre-
changes
sented in Figure 7, reveal significant insights into the dynamic interconnectedness of
over time. The wavelet coherence graph is superior for analysing time-varying relationships In-
dia’s financial
between twomarket. The correlations
time series with and
across both time Asiafrequency
Pacific and Hong Kong
domains. aretraditional
Unlike relatively
low, typically ranging from 0.15 to 0.35, indicating modest but fluctuating linkages driven
by regional economic events. The correlation with the USA is similarly low, suggesting
distinct economic influences. However, certain global financial events cause brief in-
creases in co-movement. In contrast, correlations with Europe and the UK are generally
J. Risk Financial Manag. 2025, 18, 18 19 of 24
correlation measures, it reveals how the strength and nature of the relationship evolve over
time at different frequencies, making it particularly effective for identifying non-stationary
or cyclical patterns. By identifying periods of high coherence between different markets,
investors and portfolio managers can recognise when diversification benefits diminish,
prompting a shift towards less correlated assets to mitigate risk. Considering the wavelet
coherence graph presenting strong long-term synchronisation between market A and B
during a particular period, it may be suggested to reduce exposure to market B assets by
increasing investments in regions or asset classes exhibiting lower coherence with market
A. Conversely, during periods of low or fragmented coherence, the investor may diversify
across multiple markets to exploit independent growth trajectories.
The X-axis in the graph represents time, and the Y-axis shows frequency, with short-
term interactions at the bottom and long-term at the top. Colour-coded regions illustrate the
coherence strength (0 to 1), where red or yellow areas indicate high coherence, indicating
strong correlation, and blue signifies low coherence. Arrows in the graph provide additional
insights into the phase relationship. Rightward arrows show the series are in-phase,
leftward indicate out-of-phase, while upward and downward arrows suggest one series
leads the other. The cone of influence outlines the area where interpretations are most
reliable, focusing attention within its bounds. The wavelet coherence graph helps identify
periods of high or low correlation and any lead–lag relationships, revealing dynamic
connections between two time series. Figure 8 shows the wavelet coherence between
the Indian stock market and the other global indices, shedding light on the strength and
dynamics of their interdependencies across different periods and frequencies.
Generally, there are noticeable periods of high coherence (marked in red) between
India and other markets, particularly in the medium- (16–64) to long-term (64–256) periods,
suggesting that external shocks have a significant and sustained impact on the Indian
market. This is evident, especially during 2022 and 2023, where high coherence regions
frequently appear across these indices, indicating that global market trends considerably
influenced the Indian market in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance,
the coherence between India and the Global, Emerging Markets, and USA indices shows
robust synchronisation, reflecting the effect of heightened economic interconnectivity
and the global response to market disruptions caused by the pandemic and subsequent
recovery phases.
Another notable observation is that the Indian market’s coherence with European, UK,
and Asia Pacific indices reveals a pattern of fluctuating correlation over time, with some
high-coherence areas appearing intermittently in short-term periods (4–16), particularly in
the latter part of 2023. This could suggest that regional-specific events, such as inflation
concerns, policy changes, and geopolitical tensions, also play a role in these correlations,
influencing investor behaviour and market responses. Additionally, the Indian market
shows varying responses to short-term shocks, as evidenced by the scattered low-coherence
(blue) regions. These results indicate that India’s stock market demonstrates a degree of
resilience but remains exposed to global volatility, especially during significant economic
events. This interconnectedness, highlighted by the wavelet coherence across multiple
regions, emphasises the need for investors and policymakers in India to account for both
global and regional market conditions in their decision-making processes.
J. Risk Financial Manag. 2025, 18, x FOR PEER REVIEW 21 of 26
J. Risk Financial Manag. 2025, 18, 18 20 of 24
and strengthen resilience against market shocks by aligning asset allocation with evolving
market interdependencies.
For policymakers, the findings highlight the need for proactive measures to bolster
market resilience against external shocks, such as creating stronger financial infrastructure,
improving regulatory frameworks, and fostering greater economic integration. Addition-
ally, we suggest implication of policies fostering regional cooperation and information-
sharing among emerging economies can help mitigate contagion risks by addressing
cross-border volatility spillovers. Establishing capital buffer requirements that fluctuate
based on wavelet-identified periods of heightened coherence with global markets could
pre-empt market disruptions. Moreover, promoting financial literacy and encouraging
institutional investors to diversify into asset classes less sensitive to global shocks can
reduce overall market fragility. Moreover, the study underscores the importance of dy-
namic, real-time monitoring of market correlations and volatility, enabling timely policy
interventions and more informed decision-making by investors and regulators. Identify-
ing time-varying relationships between markets also stresses the necessity for adaptive
strategies that respond to market fluctuations across different frequencies, ensuring that the
Indian market remains resilient and competitive in a highly interconnected global economy.
6. Conclusions
This study comprehensively analyses the interconnectedness between the Indian
stock market (NSE) and several key global financial indices, using advanced econometric
techniques such as the Diebold–Yilmaz spillover index, DCC-GARCH model, and wavelet
coherence analysis. The findings reveal significant spillover effects, especially from markets
in the U.S., Europe, and Asia, indicating that global events have a lasting impact on the
Indian market. The results highlight the need for enhanced risk management strategies
and adaptive policy measures, as the Indian market is highly responsive to external shocks,
particularly during economic uncertainty. The research also demonstrates the effectiveness
of time-varying methods in capturing the dynamic nature of market interdependencies,
offering valuable insights for investors, regulators, and policymakers in navigating the
complexities of a globally interconnected financial landscape.
investigate the role of emerging markets in mitigating global risks, shedding light on their
evolving influence in fostering financial stability and reducing systemic vulnerabilities
across interconnected economies.
Author Contributions: Conceptualisation, N.M. and A.K.P.; methodology, N.M., A.K.P., and S.K.C.;
software, N.M.; validation, N.M., M.U., and P.B.; data curation, N.M., S.K.C., and M.U.; formal
analysis, N.M., A.K.P., M.U., and P.K.; resources, A.K.P., S.K.C., M.U., P.B., and P.K.; writing—original
draft preparation, N.M.; writing—review and editing, A.K.P., S.K.C., M.U., P.B., and P.K.; supervision,
A.K.P., S.K.C., and M.U.; project administration, A.K.P. All authors have read and agreed to the
published version of the manuscript.
Data Availability Statement: Data used in this study are publicly available and can be easily
downloaded from Blumberg or Yahoo Finance.
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