Network Connectedness in Financial Markets

Abstract: This paper is a collection of two different theses discussing the prediction of the returns and volatilities of the S&P 500 constituents and of US Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) by analyzing their centrality within the financial market network. Both empirical works summarize the relevant financial and network literature, demonstrating how modeling stock connectedness within financial markets makes it possible to create returns and volatility predictors, improving investors' portfolio allocations and achieved investment Sharpe ratios.