Time–Frequency Co-Movement of South African Asset Markets: Evidence from an MGARCH-ADCC Wavelet Analysis

The growing prominence of generating a well-diversified portfolio by holding securities from multi-asset markets has, over the years, drawn criticism. Various financial market events have caused asset markets to co-move, especially in emerging markets, which reduces portfolio diversification and enhances return losses. Consequently, this study examines the time–frequency co-movement of multi-asset classes in South Africa by using the Multivariate Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedastic–Asymmetrical Dynamic Conditional Correlation (MGARCH-DCC) model, Maximal Overlap Discrete Wavelet Transformation (MODWT), and the Continuous Wavelet Transform (WTC) for the period 2007 to 2024. The findings demonstrate that the equity–bond, equity–property, equity–gold, bond–property, bond–gold, and property–gold markets depict asymmetrical time-varying correlations. Moreover, correlation in these asset pairs varies at investment periods (short-term, medium-term, and long-term), with historical events such as the 2007/2008 Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and the COVID-19 pandemic causing these asset pairs to co-move at different investment periods, which reduces diversification properties. The findings suggest that South African multi-asset markets co-move, affecting the diversification properties of holding multi-asset classes in a portfolio at different investment periods. Consequently, investors should consider the holding periods of each asset market pair in a portfolio as they dictate the level of portfolio diversification. Investors should also remember that there are lead–lag relationships and risk transmission between asset market pairs, enhancing portfolio volatility. This study assists investors in making more informed investment decisions and identifying optimal entry or exit points within South African multi-asset markets.