Non-linear modelling and forecasting of S&P 500 volatility

This paper investigates the use of a flexible forecasting method based on non-linear Markov modelling and canonical variate analysis, and the use of a prediction algorithm to forecast conditional volatility. We assess the dynamic behaviour of the model by forecasting volatility of a stock index. It is found that the non-linear non-parametric model based on canonical variate analysis forecasts stock index volatility significantly better than the GJR-GARCH(1,1)-t model due to the flexibility in accommodating multiple dynamic patterns in volatility which are not captured by its parametric counterpart.