The Information Contents of VIX Index and Range-based Volatility on Volatility Forecasting Performance of S&P 500

In this paper, we investigate the information contents of S&P 500 VIX index and range-based volatilities by comparing their benefits on the GJR-based volatility forecasting performance. To reveal the statistical significance and ensure obtaining robust results, we employ Hansen's SPA test ( 2005) to examine the forecasting performances of GJR and GJR-X models for the S&P500 stock index. The results indicate that combining VIX and range-based volatilities into GARCH-type model can both enhance the one-step-ahead volatility forecasts while evaluating with different kinds of loss functions. Moreover, regardless of under-prediction, GJR-VIX model appears to be the most preferred, which implies that VIX index has better information content for improving volatility forecasting performance.