Aggregational Gaussianity In The South African Equity Market

Abstract

While stylized facts of South African asset returns have been studied extensively, Aggregational Gaussianity has largely been overlooked. The aggregational aspect arises from the n-day log-return being the sum of n one-day log-returns and empirical asset returns tending to normality as the term increases. This fact is commonly corroborated graphically using overlapping return series depicted in Q-Q plots. Using a resampling-based statistical methodology to test for Aggregational Gaussianity while catering for overlapping data, an alternate picture emerges. Here the authors describe evidence from the South African market for a discernible absence of Aggregational Gaussianity and briefly discuss the implications thereof.