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Testing for a Level Effect in Short-Term Interest Rates

Author

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  • Olan T. Henry
  • Sandy Suardi

Abstract

There is an extensive theoretical and empirical literature discussing the link between short-term interest rate volatility and interest rate levels. We present an LM based test for the presence of a level effect which is robust to the presence of unidentified nuisance parameter under the null of no level effect. We provide extensive Monte-Carlo evidence on the performance of this test under various DGPs. When applied to data on the 3-month US Treasury Bills rate, the test reports significant evidence of a level effect.

Suggested Citation

  • Olan T. Henry & Sandy Suardi, 2004. "Testing for a Level Effect in Short-Term Interest Rates," Department of Economics - Working Papers Series 924, The University of Melbourne.
    • Handle: RePEc:mlb:wpaper:924
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    File URL: http://www.economics.unimelb.edu.au/downloads/wpapers-04/924.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Henry, Olan T. & Olekalns, Nilss & Suardi, Sandy, 2007. "Testing for rate dependence and asymmetry in inflation uncertainty: Evidence from the G7 economies," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 94(3), pages 383-388, March.
    2. Sandy Suardi & O.T.Henry & N. Olekalns, "undated". "Equity Return and Short-Term Interest Rate Volatility: Level Effects and Asymmetric Dynamics," MRG Discussion Paper Series 0205, School of Economics, University of Queensland, Australia.
    3. Suardi, Sandy, 2008. "Are levels effects important in out-of-sample performance of short rate models?," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 99(1), pages 181-184, April.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Level Effects; LM Tests; Davies Problem;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C12 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Hypothesis Testing: General
    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • E44 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Financial Markets and the Macroeconomy

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