Yield Spread and Term to Maturity: Default vs. Liquidity

The aim of this paper is the analysis of the yield spreads between Treasury and non–Treasury Spanish fixed income assets and its relationship with the term to maturity. We find a downward sloping term structure of yield spreads for investment–grade bonds that seems to be contrary to the 'crisis at maturity' theory. However, we claim that this outcome is caused mainly by the effect of liquidity on yield spreads. Once the effect of liquidity and other factors are removed we find that there is a positive relationship between default premiums and term to maturity. That result is now consistent with the existing literature.     

Determinants of Sovereign Eurobonds Yield Spread

We examine the determinants of sovereign Eurobond spread at issuance covering 1991–2000. The results of the regression models showed that yield spread increases with maturity, issue size and gross fees and decreases with credit rating and the number of managers. Higher‐grade issuers also pay a relatively higher spread to borrow long‐term funds and for smaller issues. The findings are consistent with the notion of a term structure 'liquidity premium.' Low‐grade issuers pay a higher spread than better‐rated countries. However, low‐grade countries pay high spread for larger funds. Credit rating is found to provide additional information in explaining the spread on sovereign Eurobonds beyond that provided by macroeconomic variables.     

A Simple Multi-Factor,Time-Dependent-Parameter Model for the Term Structure of Interest Rates

In this paper, we present a simple version of the Duffie and Kan model (1996). Our model can perfectly fit the yield curve and the volatility curve and further provide true closed form solutions to the pure discount bond price and its European contingent claims. Due to the specific factor structure in our model, the calibration exercise is easy to implement. This advantage will improve the computational efficiency in pricing American style claims.     

Predictability of Term Spread for Economic Activity with Liquidity Premium Theory

In this article, we explore the predictive content of the term spread based on the liquidity premium theory. We decompose the contribution of the spread into the effect of expected future changes in short rates and the effect of the term premium. We also examine whether the predictive power of the term spread for real economic activity can be enhanced by such a decomposition. The basic finding is that both the expectations effect and the term premium effect are relevant for predicting economic fluctuations. In particular, we find that the decomposition might lead to a better prediction for the business-cycle turning points than the usual term spread.     

An Intraday Examination of the Components of the Bid–Ask Spread

Using transactions data for a sample of NYSE stocks, we decompose the bid–ask spread (BAS) into order–processing (OP) and asymmetric information (AI) components using the techniques of George, Kaul, and Nimalendran (1991) and Madhavan, Richardson, and Roomans (1997). McInish and Wood (1992) demonstrate that the intraday behavior of BASs can be explained by variables measuring activity, competition, risk, and information. We investigate whether these variables explain the behavior of the OP and AI components of the spread over the trading day. We conclude that, on balance, the variables that determine the aggregate BAS also determine its intraday components.     

An Unobserved Components Model of the Yield Curve

We develop an unobserved component model in which the short‐term interest rate is composed of a stochastic trend and a stationary cycle. Using the Nelson–Siegel model of the yield curve as inspiration, we estimate an extremely parsimonious state‐space model of interest rates across time and maturity. The time‐series process suggests a specific functional form for the yield curve. We use the Kalman filter to estimate the time‐series process jointly with observed yield curves, greatly improving empirical identification. Our stochastic process generates a three‐factor model for the term structure. At the estimated parameters, trend and slope factors matter while the third factor is empirically unimportant. Our baseline model fits the yield curve well. Model generated estimates of uncertainty are positively correlated with estimated term premia. An extension of the model with regime switching identifies a high‐variance regime and a low‐variance regime, where the high‐variance regime occurs rarely after the mid‐1980s. The term premium is higher, and more so for yields of short maturities, in the high‐variance regime than in the low‐variance regime. The estimation results support our model as a simple and yet reliable framework for modeling the term structure.     

Pricing Commodity Spread Options with Stochastic Term Structure of Convenience Yields and Interest Rates

The purpose of this research is to provide a valuation formula for commodity spread options. Commodity spread options are options written on the difference of the prices (spread) of two commodities. From the aspect of commodity contingent claims, it is considered that commodity spread options are difficult to evaluate with accuracy because of the existence of the convenience yield. Hence, the model of the convenience yield is the key factor to price commodity spread options. We use the concept of future convenience yields to develop the model that enriches the stochastic behavior of convenience yield. We also introduce Heath-Jarrow-Morton interest rate model to the valuation framework. This general model not only captures the mean reverting feature of the convenience yield, but also allows us to handle a very wide range of shape that the term structure of convenience yield can take. Therefore our model provides various types of models. The numerical analysis presented in this paper provides some unique features of commodity spread options in contrast to normal options. These characteristics have never been addressed in previous studies. Moreover, it suggests that the existing model overprice commodity spread options through neglecting the effect of interest rates.     

An Econometric Model of the Term Structure of Interest-Rate Swap Yields

This article develops a multi-factor econometric model of the term structure of interest-rate swap yields. The model accommodates the possibility of counterparty default, and any differences in the liquidities of the Treasury and Swap markets. By parameterizing a model of swap rates directly, we are able to compute model-based estimates of the defaultable zero-coupon bond rates implicit in the swap market without having to specify a priori the dependence of these rates on default hazard or recovery rates. The time series analysis of spreads between zero-coupon swap and treasury yields reveals that both credit and liquidity factors were important sources of variation in swap spreads over the past decade.     

二叉树利率期限结构模型应用初探——以寿险公司资产负债管理为例

近年来我国寿险公司经营风险加剧，寿险公司资产负债管理正逐渐成为实务界和学术界关注的焦点。本文在深入研究随机规划、利率期限结构、投资组合等相关理论的基础上，对比分析均衡模型和无套利模型的差异，指出无套利模型更适于构楚随机规划问题中利率情景树的构建。在无套利模型中，二叉树Black-Derman-Toy模型简单易操作，可以避免三叉树模型计算量大，效率不高等缺点。因此本文采用二叉树方法以Black-Derman-Toy模型构造利率情景树，与随机规划模型相结合的资产负偾管理方法，协调、管理寿险公司资产负偾现金流，减少了随机规划模型处理随机利率分布的技术性难度。     

深市买卖价差逆向选择成分的估算与分析

本文以深市150家上市公司为样本，估算买卖价差逆向选择成分，研究逆向选择成分与公司特征之间的关系，并探讨其日内变化模式。研究发现信息不对称对深市买卖价差的贡献度为39％。公司规模越大，其股票的逆向选择成分越小；逆向选择成分随着交易量水平的上升而降低；高价股的逆向选择成分比低价股低。总体而言，逆向选择成分在早市呈现“倒U”型，在午市呈现“L”型。逆向选择成分与公司特征之问的关系及逆向选择成分的日内变动模式的实证分析结果，符合信息不对称与公司特征之问的逻辑关系及信息不对称的日内变动模式。     

基于Nelson—Siegel模型的我国利率期限结构的构建

利率问题一直都是经济金融研究中最基础、最核心的问题。利率可以反映出资金的供求状况,并受到物价水平、经济周期和预期等的影响。本文基于中国银行间债券市场的交易数据,利用基于贝叶斯推断的马尔科夫链蒙特卡罗模拟（MCMC）方法估计Hautsch＆Ou（2008）提出的动态的Nelson—Siegel模型,以构建我国的利率期限结构模型。     

人口学特征与利率期限结构:老年社会平缓的收益率曲线

本文将刻画人口结构的生命周期模型引入消费-资本资产定价模型,考察人口结构对利率期限结构的影响。模型表明,人口结构及其家庭生命周期特征不仅决定利率水平,而且将通过人对债券期限的不同偏好,影响利率期限结构。少年人口占比对利率期限结构的影响为正,中年和老年人口占比的影响为负。相比少年人口,中老年人口更偏好长期债券,使长期收益率下降,期限结构的斜率更为平缓。基于全球数据的经验研究验证了这一结论。少年人口占比增加期限利差,中老年人口占比则起反向作用。因此,在年长的经济体中,期限利差更小,呈现更平缓的收益率曲线特征。在更换人口结构变量、期限利差变量、估计方法、赋权样本和处理遗漏变量后,结果表现稳健。本文从人口学视角拓宽了利率期限结构的决定因素,揭示了老年经济体可能面临一个平缓的收益率曲线,而这说明老龄化还可能通过抑制短期投机和促进长期投资来提高长期经济发展质量。     

Pricing of Defaultable Bonds with Log-Normal Spread: Development of the Model and an Application to Argentinean and Brazilian Bonds During the Argentine Crisis

In this paper we describe a two-factor model for a defaultable discount bond, assuming log-normal dynamics with bounded volatility for the instantaneous short rate spread. Under some simplified hypothesis, we obtain an explicit barrier-type solution for zero recovery and constant recovery. We also present a numerical application for Argentinean and Brazilian Sovereign Bonds during the default crisis of Argentina.JEL Classification: G 13     

短期融资券市场效率研究——基于价差分解的视角

在完全有效市场条件下,信用风险是反映信用类债券特征的最基本信息,也是决定价差的关键因素。本文通过对中国信用类债券中短期融资券的价差分解发现,虽然信用风险显著影响短期融资券定价,但市场风险才是影响其价差的最主要因素。此外,市场流动性不足降低了市场运行效率,导致流动性溢价总体为负。上述研究结果表明我国短期融资券市场化的定价机制虽已初步形成,但市场效率总体仍然偏低。     

商品期货价格期限结构隐含交易策略信息的实证研究

本文采用静态和滚动主成分分析的方法对最具代表性的9个品种商品期货价格期限结构进行了分析,得出我国商品期货价格期限结构变动的3个主要特征:曲线的平移、斜率的变化以及曲率的变化。在揭示不同变动方式的信息价值的基础上,本文提出多头、多头或者空头、多空平衡3种交易策略,并通过构建两个商品组合与基准持有策略收益进行了比较分析。结果表明,基于商品期货价格期限结构的隐含信息而构建的交易策略收益显著超过基准持有策略的收益。这对于交易者制定正确的交易策略具有重要的意义。     

中国国债利率期限结构模型研究与实证分析

本文在概述国债利率期限结构模型的基础上,针对当前被发达国家广泛采用的NS和SV模型所存在的不足,通过扩展指数多项式的方法,构建出NSM模型。为了更好地估算利率期限结构模型中的参数,本研究针对目标函数优化求解,经分析比较多种优化算法后,确定选用GRG2非线性最优化算法。通过使用上海证券交易所2005.1.4～2007.11.30的国债每日交易数据对NS、SV、NSM三个模型的实证分析比较,表明NSM模型不仅保留了NS模型的经济含义,克服了SV模型参数估计依赖初值的缺点,能够反映出利率曲线多峰的情况;而且其在拟合精度、价格误差等多项指标上均优于NS模型和SV模型,并具有良好的适应性和稳健性,能够满足我国当前的国债市场需要。     

Endogenous Parameter Time Series Estimation of the Ohlson Model: Linear and Nonlinear Analyses

This paper tests the empirical validity of the Ohlson (1995) model on a firm-level time series basis. The coefficients of the earnings dynamic and valuation equations are first estimated by OLS. Next, recognizing the nonlinear relationships among the parameters, each equation is estimated by nonlinear Least Squares. Lastly, the model is estimated as a restricted system by nonlinear Least Squares and nonlinear SUR. In all cases, parameters are endogenously estimated. Irrespective of the estimation method, the Ohlson model often yields inconsistent or insignificant parameter estimates. Nevertheless, point estimates of equity risk premia are similar to those obtained from alternative methodologies.     

Learning about the Term Structure and Optimal Rules for Inflation Targeting

In this paper, we incorporate the term structure of interest rates in the New Keynesian model and analyze optimal policy under uncertainty about private sector expectations and the degree of inflation persistence. The novel result of our paper is that for large deviations of inflation from its target, the active learning policy is less activist—in the sense of responding less aggressively to the state of the economy—than a myopic policy, which ignores the learning channel. Moreover, for most initial beliefs, the incentive for active learning increases as monetary policy’s leverage over the long‐term interest rate increases.     

武陵山片区县域产业结构的差异分析

武陵山片区产业结构对经济增长的贡献差异化明显,在武陵山片区的71个区县中,份额分量和产业结构偏离分量均为正值,是推动这些区县经济持续增长的有利条件。除湖北11县市产业结构贡献率为负值外,其余县市产业结构效益显著,但竞争力均处于劣势。