Connectedness between Defi assets and equity markets during COVID-19: A sector analysis.

This paper explores the dynamic connectedness between Defi assets and sector stock markets focused around the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. For that aim, this research applies the TVP-VAR model, and it also computes the optimal weights and hedge ratios for the Defi assets-sector equity portfolios using the DCC-GARCH model. Our main findings reveal that static connectedness is slightly economy- and sector-dependent. Regarding the dynamic connectedness, as expected, the total spillover index changes over time, showing a cruel impact of the global pandemic declaration. Net spillover indices show relevant differences between the Defi assets and certain sectors (net receivers) and sectors such as industrials, materials and information technology (time-varying net transmitters). Finally, the optimal hedge ratios reveal similar levels of coverage in all the periods analyzed, with slight upturns in the cost of such coverage in the crisis period caused by COVID-19.

Alternative estimates of the well-known negative relationship between the US interest rate risk and the flow-through capability.

This paper estimates US industries' ability to transmit inflation shocks to the prices of their products and services (flow-through capability, FTC) and the stock duration (interest rate sensitivity) at the sector level. Then, considering the significant differences in ability among industries, we analyze the relationship between FTC and interest rate sensitivity using two alternative methodologies (in both cases). Finally, we find a significant negative relationship between FTC and stock duration, as suggested by previous literature. Thus, industries with high FTC, such as S7 (Finance and Real Estate), S9 (Manufacturing), S11 (Transportation and Warehousing) and S12 (Utilities), may be less sensitive (than expected) to changes in nominal interest rates. In contrast, sectors such as S4 (Retail Trade), S8 (Information) and S10 (Professional and Administrative Services) (with high IRS) may be more sensitive (than expected) to changes in nominal interest rates, indicating a weak ability to transmit inflation shocks to the prices of their products and services.

Investor Behavior and Flow-through Capability in the US Stock Market.

This paper analyzes investor behavior depending on the flow-through capability (FTC) in the US stock market, because investors seek protection from inflation rate changes, and the FTC (a firm's ability to transmit inflation shocks to the prices of its products and services) is a key factor in investment decisions. Our estimates of the FTC of firms listed on the US stock exchange at the sector level are significantly different among industries, and we demonstrate a direct relationship between changes in stock prices (at the sector level) and FTC. These results would be relevant because they have important implications on investor behavior.