Cyclicality of size, value, and momentum on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange

Abstract

The study examines the cyclical behaviour of style premiums on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) over the period 2002–2018. More specifically, the study establishes whether there is a contemporaneous relationship between style premiums and certain regime dynamics. The examination period extends over two consecutive business cycles, each with an upward and a downward phase. A robust factor-mimicking portfolio construction procedure is employed. Findings show that the small-cap risk premium shrinks significantly or becomes negative during downward phases while the momentum premium is strongly positive throughout the study period, but is lower during downward phases.