Jump robust daily covariance estimation by disentangling variance and correlation components

A jump robust positive semidefinite rank-based estimator for the daily covariance matrix based on high-frequency intraday returns is proposed. It disentangles covariance estimation into variance and correlation components. This allows us to account for non-synchronous trading by estimating correlations over lower sampling frequencies. The efficiency gain of disentangling covariance estimation and the jump robustness of the estimator are illustrated in a simulation study. In an application to the Dow Jones Industrial Average constituents, it is shown that the proposed estimator leads to more stable portfolios.