This study is on the forecasting performance analysis of range volatility estimators(Parkinson, Garman and Klass, and Rogers and Satchell) relative to historical one using two-scale realized volatility estimator as a benchmark.

American sub-prime mortgage loan shock to Korean stock markets happened in sample period (January 2, 2006- March 10, 2008), so the structural change somewhere within this period can make a huge influence on the results. Therefore sample was divided into two sub-samples by May 30, 2007 according to Zivot and Andrews unit root test results. As expected, the second sub-sample was much more volatile than the first sub-sample.

As a result of forecasting performance analysis, Rogers and Satchell volatility estimator showed the best forecasting performance in the full sample and relatively better forecasting performance than other estimators in sub-samples. Range volatility estimators showed better forecasting performance than historical volatility estimator during the period before the outbreak of structural change (the first sub-sample). On the contrary, the forecasting performance of range volatility estimators couldn't beat that of historical volatility estimator during the period after this event(the second sub-sample). The main culprit of this result seems to be the increment of range volatility caused by that of intraday volatility after structural change.

Keywords: Range Volatility Estimator, Two-scale Realized Volatility Estimator, Forecasting Performance,KOSPI 200