This paper proposes a new empirical methodology for computing a cross-market volatility index – coined CMIX – based on the Factor DCC-model, implemented on volatility surprises. This approach solves both problems of treating high-dimensional data and estimating time-varying conditional correlations. We provide an application to a multi-asset market data composed of equities, bonds, foreign exchange rates and commodities during 1983–2013. This new methodology may be attractive to asset managers, since it provides a simple way to hedge multi-asset portfolios with derivative contracts written on the CMIX.
