Evolution of multifractal cross-correlations between the Argentina MERVAL Index and international commodities prices

Abstract

We compute the auto-correlations and cross-correlations of the volatility time series of the Argentina MERVAL Index (the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange main index) and three agricultural commodities, in a multifractal context using the Detrended Cross-Correlation Analysis [12]. We observe a clear increase of the cross-correlations between the Merval series and the grain quotations which can be ascribed to a stronger coupling between the agricultural sector and the rest of the Argentinian economy. We connect this to fiscal decisions implemented since 2004 and reinforced after 2009.