A Multifractal Cross-Correlation Analysis of Economic Policy Uncertainty: Evidence from China and US

Abstract

In this study, we utilized the prevailing economic policy uncertainty index (EPU) as the proxy of state economic fluctuation and investigated Sino–US economic fluctuation long horizon cross-correlation with a multifractal detrended cross-correlation analysis (MF-DCCA). With the MF-DCCA approach, we found a reliable long-range cross-correlation between China and US EPU changes. In addition, we discovered that a power law cross-correlation existed for the variation of most scaling orders. However, no persistence of cross-correlations was detected within the Sino–US EPU change series. Additionally, we implemented Rényi exponent and spectrum singularity checks. Both the examination results proved series multifractality with the presented arch-shaped curves. We further calculated the Hölder exponent bounds within each series and found that the China EPU changes had maximal multifractality with the largest exponent difference.