Network Structure and Risk-Adjusted Return Approach to Stock Indices Integration : A Study on Asia-Pacific Countries

The study attempts to examine the stock market integration for Asia-Pacific countries using networks and forms Risk Adjusted Differential Return (RADR) and Benchmark Indices Network (BIN) indices. The RADR index is higher during the Global Financial Crisis (GFC), indicating a higher degree of integration. The inter-country network structure is designed where network parameters are capable of explaining stock market integration. Network parameters are higher during the GFC and are used to form a network index - BIN. This study concludes BIN to be a better measure than RADR, as network parameters are independent of differential index return