In this paper we study option-implied interest rate forecasts and the development of risk premium and state prices in the Euribor futures option market. Using parametric and non-parametric statistical calibration, we transform the risk-neutral option implied densities for the Euribor futures rate into real-world densities. We investigate the period from the introduction of the Euro in 1999 until December 2012. The estimated densities are used to provide a measure for the interest rate risk premium and state prices implicit in the futures market. We find that the real-world option-implied distributions can be used to forecast the futures rate, while the forecasting ability of the risk-neutral distributions is rejected. The state price densities in the market show a U-shaped curve suggesting that investors price higher states with high and low rates compared to the expected spot rate. However, we show that, in general, state prices have a more pronounced right tail, implying that investors are more risk averse to increasing interest rates. We also document a negative market price of interest rate risk which generates positive premium for the futures contract.

This paper analyses changes in short-term interest rate expectations and uncertainty during ECB Governing Council days. For this purpose, it extends the estimation of risk-neutral probability density functions up to tick frequency. In particular, the non-parametric estimator of these densities, which is based on fitting implied volatility curves, is applied to estimate intraday expectations of 3-month EURIBOR 3months ahead. Estimates of the noise impact on the statistical moments of the densities enhance the interpretation. In addition, the paper assesses the impact of the ECB communication during Governing Council days. The results show that the whole density may react to the communication and that such repositioning of market participants’ expectations will contain information beyond that of changes in the consensus view already observed in forward rates. The results also point out the relevance of the press conference in providing extra information and triggering an adjustment process for interest rate expectations.