The role of catastrophe bonds in an international multi-asset portfolio: Diversifier, hedge, or safe haven?

Finance Research Letters | 03/2020

Abstract

We examine whether catastrophe bonds can serve as a hedge or a safe haven for global stock, bond, real estate, commodity, private equity, and infrastructure markets. Our findings indicate that catastrophe bonds are a poor hedge, but they act as an effective diversifier against other asset classes. Furthermore, catastrophe bonds serve as a strong safe haven against extreme price drops of the stock market only during the post-crisis period.