Asymmetry of stock market volatility in high frequency data

The purpose of this study is to examine the lead-lag relationship between volatility and returns in high frequency stock market data to see the validity of two hypotheses that explain volatility asymmetry. Specifically, wavelet analysis is applied to decompose the volatility process into permanent and transitory components and then each component is investigated in conjunction with returns. The results from cross-correlation analysis between volatility and returns support the leverage effect hypothesis rather than the volatility feedback hypothesis in all cases.