TY - JOUR AU - Demiralay, Sercan AU - Bayracı, Selçuk TI - Should stock investors include cryptocurrencies in their portfolios after all? Evidence from a conditional diversification benefits measure JO - International Journal of Finance & Economics JA - Int J Fin Econ VL - 26 IS - 4 SN - 1076-9307 UR - https://doi.org/10.1002/ijfe.2116 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/ijfe.2116 SP - 6188 EP - 6204 KW - cryptocurrencies KW - diversification KW - dynamic conditional correlation (DCC) KW - dynamic equicorrelation (DECO) KW - portfolio optimization PY - 2021 AB - Abstract Higher media coverage and stronger investor interest in cryptocurrency market may create closer linkages with traditional assets, leading to deteriorated diversification benefits. Cryptocurrencies have recently emerged as an alternative digital asset class; however, very little is known about their portfolio performances. In this study, we investigate the time-varying investment benefits of cryptocurrencies for stock portfolios using a correlation-based conditional diversification benefits (CDB) measure. We construct six portfolios consisting of cryptocurrencies, developed and emerging equity markets and find that the time-varying correlations between cryptocurrencies and stock markets are generally low. However, the level of correlations significantly increases in turbulent periods, such as Brexit referendum and Coincheck hack. The dynamic CDB measures suggest that adding cryptocurrencies to equity market portfolios enhances portfolio diversification; however, the benefits of diversification have diminished after late 2017. Our results offer significant insights and potential implications for market participants. ER -