🌊 Reinhart-Rogoff Financial Instability Index (RR-FII)

Overview

The Reinhart-Rogoff Financial Instability Index (RR-FII) is a multi-factor indicator that consolidates historical crisis patterns into a single risk score ranging from 0 to 100. Drawing from the extensive research in "This Time is Different: Eight Centuries of Financial Crises" by Carmen M. Reinhart and Kenneth S. Rogoff, the RR-FII translates nearly a millennium of crisis data into practical insights for financial markets.

What It Does

The RR-FII acts like a real-time financial weather forecast by tracking four key stress indicators that historically signal the build-up to major financial crises. Unlike traditional indicators based only on price, it takes a broader view, examining the global market's interconnected conditions to provide a holistic assessment of systemic risk.

The Four Crisis Components

- Capital Flow Stress (Default weight: 25%)
- Data analyzed: Volatility (ATR) and price movements of the selected asset.
- Detects abrupt volatility surges or sharp price falls, which often precede debt defaults due to sudden stops in capital inflow.
- Commodity Cycle (Default weight: 20%)
- Data analyzed: US crude oil prices (customizable).
- Watches for significant declines from recent highs, since commodity price troughs often signal looming crises in emerging markets.
- Currency Crisis (Default weight: 30%)
- Data analyzed: US Dollar Index (DXY, customizable).
- Flags if the currency depreciates by more than 15% in a year, aligning with historical criteria for currency crashes linked to defaults.
- Banking Sector Health (Default weight: 25%)
- Data analyzed: Performance of financial sector ETFs (e.g., XLF) relative to broad market benchmarks (SPY).
- Monitors for underperformance in the financial sector, a strong indicator of broader financial instability.

Risk Scale Interpretation

- 0-20: Safe – Low systemic risk, normal conditions.
- 20-40: Moderate – Some signs of stress, increased caution advised.
- 40-60: Elevated – Multiple risk factors, consider adjusting positions.
- 60-80: High – Significant probability of crisis, implement strong risk controls.
- 80-100: Critical – Several crisis indicators active, exercise maximum caution.

Visual Features

- The main risk line changes color with increasing risk.
- Background colors show different risk zones for quick reference.
- Option to view individual component scores.
- A real-time status table summarizes all component readings.
- Crisis event markers appear when thresholds are breached.
- Customizable alerts notify users of changing risk levels.

How to Use

- Apply as an overlay for broad risk management at the portfolio level.
- Adjust position sizes inversely to the crisis index score.
- Use high index readings as a warning to increase vigilance or reduce exposure.
- Set up alerts for changes in risk levels.
- Analyze using various timeframes; daily and weekly charts yield the best macro insights.

Customizable Settings

- Change the weighting of each crisis factor.
- Switch commodity, currency, banking sector, and benchmark symbols for customized views or regional focus.
- Adjust thresholds and visual settings to match individual risk preferences.

Academic Foundation

Rooted in rigorous analysis of 66 countries and 800 years of data, the RR-FII uses empirically validated relationships and thresholds to assess systemic risk. The indicator embodies key findings: financial crises often follow established patterns, different types of crises frequently coincide, and clear quantitative signals often precede major events.

Best Practices

- Use RR-FII as part of a comprehensive risk management strategy, not as a standalone trading signal.
- Combine with fundamental analysis for complete market insight.
- Monitor for differences between component readings and the overall index.
- Favor higher timeframes for a broader macro view.
- Adjust component importance to suit specific market interests.

Important Disclaimers

- RR-FII assesses risk using patterns from past crises but does not predict future events.
- Historical performance is not a guarantee of future results.
- Always employ proper risk management.
- Consider this tool as one element in a broader analytical toolkit.
- Even with high risk readings, markets may not react immediately.

Technical Requirements

- Compatible with Pine Script v6, suitable for all timeframes and symbols.
- Pulls data automatically for USOIL, DXY, XLF, and SPY.
- Operates without repainting, using only confirmed data.

The RR-FII condenses centuries of financial crisis knowledge into a modern risk management tool, equipping investors and traders with a deeper understanding of when systemic risks are most pronounced.