A Factor Stochastic Volatility Model with Markov-Switching Panic Regimes

The use of factor stochastic volatility models requires choosing the number of latent factors used to describe the dynamics of the financial returns process; however, empirical evidence suggests that the number and makeup of pertinent factors is time-varying and economically situational. We present a novel factor stochastic volatility model that allows for random subsets of assets to have their members experience non-market-wide panics. These participating assets will experience an increase in their variances and within-group covariances. We also give an estimation algorithm for this model that takes advantage of recent results on Particle Markov chain Monte Carlo techniques.