Hedging geopolitical risk with precious metals

Dirk G. Baur and Lee Smales

Journal of Banking & Finance, 2020, vol. 117, issue C

Abstract: We analyse the relationship between geopolitical risk and asset prices and show that geopolitical risk is distinct from existing measures of economic, financial, and political risk and that the response of precious metals to geopolitical risk differs considerably from that of other assets. Precious metals are hedges against geopolitical risk in general and geopolitical threats (as opposed to acts) in particular. Conversely, stocks and bonds respond negatively to geopolitical risk and geopolitical threats. For extreme geopolitical risks, only gold and silver display consistent safe haven properties. Our results show that holding precious metals within a diversified portfolio lowers the impact of geopolitical risk.

Keywords: Gold; Geopolitical risk; Safe haven; VIX; EPU; Precious metals (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F5 G10 G11 G14 G15 G18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (117)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jbfina:v:117:y:2020:i:c:s037842662030090x

DOI: 10.1016/j.jbankfin.2020.105823

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