Visualization of a Stock Market Correlation Matrix

Type of content
Journal Article
Thesis discipline
Degree name
Publisher
University of Canterbury. Department of Economics and Finance
University of Canterbury. Mathematics and Statistics
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Language
Date
2014
Authors
Rea, A.
Rea, W.
Abstract

This paper presents a novel application of Neighbor-Net, a clustering algorithm developed for constructing a phylogenetic network in the field of evolutionary biology, to visualizing a correlation matrix. We apply Neighbor-Net as implemented in the SplitsTree software package to 48 stocks listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange. We show that by visualizing the correlation matrix using a Neighbor-Net splits graph and its associated circular ordering of the stocks that some of the problems associated with understanding the large number of correlations between the individual stocks can be overcome. We compare the visualization of Neighbor-Net with that provided by hierarchical clustering trees and minimum spanning trees. The use of Neighbor-Net networks, or splits graphs, yields greater insight into how closely individual stocks are related to each other in terms of their correlations and suggests new avenues of research into how to construct small diversified stock portfolios.

Description
Accepted by editor 4-Jan-2014<br />
Citation
Rea, A., Rea, W. (2014) Visualization of a Stock Market Correlation Matrix. Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, 400, pp. 109-123.
Keywords
Visualization, Neighbor-Nets, Correlation Matrix, Minimum Spanning Trees, Hierarchical Clustering Trees
Ngā upoko tukutuku/Māori subject headings
ANZSRC fields of research
Fields of Research::38 - Economics::3801 - Applied economics::380107 - Financial economics
Fields of Research::38 - Economics::3803 - Economic theory::380303 - Mathematical economics
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