Pairs trading and idiosyncratic cash flow risk

Binh Do, Robert Faff

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

We uncover idiosyncratic cash flow risk as a dominant driver for pairs trading performance. The convergence probability and pairs payoff are negatively associated with pairwise idiosyncratic cash flow volatility. Further, pairs portfolio returns load negatively on market-wide idiosyncratic cash flow volatility. This latter time-series evidence helps explain a substantial part of the decline in pairs trading profitability in the US equity market since the 1990s. Our results are consistent with idiosyncratic risk representing a major holding cost for arbitrageurs when substitutes are close but imperfect.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3171-3206
Number of pages36
JournalAccounting & Finance
Volume61
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2021

Keywords

  • Idiosyncratic cash flow risk
  • Pairs trading
  • Relative value arbitrage

Cite this