Multifractal detrended cross-correlations between the CSI 300 index futures and the spot markets based on high-frequency data

•The cross-correlation between the CSI 300 index futures and spot markets is discussed.•Asymmetric multifractal cross-correlation is studied.•The characteristic of frequency difference of the cross-correlation is investigated.•Transmission direction of the cross-correlation is further discussed.

The cross-correlation between the China Securities Index 300 (CSI 300) index futures and the spot markets based on high-frequency data is discussed in this paper. We empirically analyze the cross-correlation by using the multifractal detrended cross-correlation analysis (MF-DCCA), and investigate further the characteristics of asymmetry, frequency difference, and transmission direction of the cross-correlation. The results indicate that the cross-correlation between the two markets is significant and multifractal. Meanwhile, weak asymmetries exist in the cross-correlation, and higher data frequency results in a lower multifractality degree of the cross-correlation. The causal relationship between the two markets is bidirectional, but the CSI 300 index futures market has greater impact on the spot market.