Cross-sectional volatility is given by the standard deviation of a set of asset returns over a single time period. CSV is critical because it represents the opportunity to outperform a benchmark. In this Research Insight, we present an exact methodology for decomposing CSV into contributions...

The authors present an exact methodology for decomposing cross-sectional volatility into contributions from various factors. Treating country, industry, and style factors equally, they used their framework to investigate several relevant issues in the global equity markets, including the...