Simultaneity and Asymmetry of Returns and Volatilities in the Emerging Baltic State Stock Exchanges

The paper suggests a nonlinear and multivariate time series model framework that enables the study of simultaneity in returns and in volatilities, as well as asymmetric effects arising from shocks and an outside stock exchange. Using daily data 2000-2006 for the Baltic state stock exchanges and that of Moscow we find recursive structures with Riga directly depending in returns on Tallinn and Vilnius, and Tallinn on Vilnius. For volatilities both Riga and Vilnius depend on Tallinn. In addition, we find evidence of asymmetric effects arising in Moscow and in Baltic state shocks on both returns and volatilities.