Testing an Algorithm with Asymmetric Markov-Switching GARCH Models in US Stock Trading

In the present paper, we extend the current literature in algorithmic trading with Markov-switching models with generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedastic (MS-GARCH) models. We performed this by using asymmetric log-likelihood functions (LLF) and variance models. From 2 January 2004 to 19 March 2021, we simulated 36 institutional investor’s portfolios. These used homogenous (either symmetric or asymmetric) Gaussian, Student’s t-distribution, or generalized error distribution (GED) and (symmetric or asymmetric) GARCH variance models. By including the impact of stock trading fees and taxes, we found that an institutional investor could outperform the S&P 500 stock index (SP500) if they used the suggested trading algorithm with symmetric homogeneous GED LLF and an asymmetric E-GARCH variance model. The trading algorithm had a simple rule, that is, to invest in the SP500 if the forecast probability of being in a calm or normal regime at t + 1 is higher than 50%. With this configuration in the MS-GARCH model, the simulated portfolios achieved a 324.43% accumulated return, of which the algorithm generated 168.48%. Our results contribute to the discussion on using MS-GARCH models in algorithmic trading with a combination of either symmetric or asymmetric pdfs and variance models.