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Journal of Finance Vol. 71 No. 3 2016

Information in the Term Structure of Yield Curve Volatility

Anna Cieslak; Pavol Povala1,2

1 Duke University · 2 Birkbeck, University of London

Abstract

Using a novel no‐arbitrage model and extensive second‐moment data, we decompose conditional volatility of U.S. Treasury yields into volatilities of short‐rate expectations and term premia. Short‐rate expectations become more volatile than premia before recessions and during asset market distress. Correlation between shocks to premia and shocks to short‐rate expectations is close to zero on average and varies with the monetary policy stance. While Treasuries are nearly unexposed to variance shocks, investors pay a premium for hedging variance risk with derivatives. We illustrate the dynamics of the yield volatility components during and after the financial crisis.

DOI
10.1111/jofi.12388
Volume
71
Issue
3
Pages
1393-1436
Language
en
Sources
bibtex:phds-export.bib crossref openalex

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