Fitting Parsimonious Yield Curve Models to Australian Coupon Bond Data

Ben Hunt ()
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Ben Hunt: Finance Discipline Group, University of Technology, Sydney, http://www.uts.edu.au/about/uts-business-school/finance

No 51, Working Paper Series from Finance Discipline Group, UTS Business School, University of Technology, Sydney

Abstract: This study uses a unique data set on Australian coupon bonds to test a number of yield curve models. A non-linear least squares technique is employed to directly fit four alternative, zero coupon, forward rate, yield curve models to the data. The four yield curve models tested were two, 4-parameter polynomial curves and two 3-parameter models including a Laguerre function. We show that a fourth order polynomial with the cubic term omitted best fits the data. This preferred model provides good estimates of both the forward and spot rate curves as well as producing volatility structures that accorded with our a priori expectation. The preferred, fourth order polynomial model is used as the basis of a market trading strategy. In this strategy, a model predicted underpriced bonds are purchased and a model predicted overpriced bonds are sold. This strategy is shown to be superior to a random trading strategy. There is however, little evidence of market inefficiency as transaction costs account for any profit generated by the strategy.

Pages: 17 pages
Date: 1995-09-01
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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