On the Elicitability and Risk Model Comparison of Emerging Markets Equities

The need for comparative backtesting in the Basel III framework presents the challenge for ranking of internal value-at-risk (VaR) and expected shortfall (ES) models. We use a joint loss function to score the elicitable joint VaR and ES models to select competing tail risk models for the top 9 emerging markets equities and the emerging markets composite index. We achieve this with the model confidence set (MCS) procedure. Our analysis span two sub-sample periods representing turbulent (Eurozone and Global Financial crises periods) and tranquil (post-Global Financial crisis period) market conditions. We find that many of the markets risk models are time-invariant and independent of market conditions. But for China and South Africa this is not true because their risk models are time-varying, market conditions-dependent, percentile-dependent and heterogeneous. Tail risk modelling may be difficult compared to other markets. The resemblance between China and South Africa can stem from the closeness between their equities composition. However, generally, there is evidence of more homogeneity than heterogeneity in risk models. This is indicated by a minimum of three models (out of six) per equity in most of the countries. This may ease the burden for risk managers to find the optimal set of models. Our study is important for internal risk modelling, regulatory oversight, reduce regulatory arbitrage and may bolster confidence in international investors with respect to emerging markets equities.