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Adjusted Forward Rates as Predictors of Future Spot Rates

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Abstract

Prior studies indicate that the predictive power of implied forward rates for future spot rates is weak over long sample periods and typically varies dramatically across different subperiods. Fama (1976, 1984) conjectures that the low forecast power is due to a failure to control for the term premium embedded in forward rates. We show that Fama's conjecture is consistent with the data using any of four different models of the term premium. We measure the term premium using a variety of ex ante instruments, including the junk bond premium, bid-ask spreads in Treasury bills, the Standard & Poor's 500 stock index's dividend yield and the conditional volatility of interest rate changes using an Autoregressive Conditionally Heteroscedastic (ARCH) process. Forward rates adjusted for the term premium are reliable predictors of future spot rates over the entire 1963-1993 period.

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  • Stephen A. Buser & G. Andrew Karolyi & Anthony B. Sanders, "undated". "Adjusted Forward Rates as Predictors of Future Spot Rates," Research in Financial Economics 9605, Ohio State University.
    • Handle: RePEc:wop:ohsrfe:9605
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    Cited by:

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    2. Michael Wickens, 2022. "Forward Interest Rates as Predictors of Future US Spot Rates Before and After the 2008 Financial Crisis," Open Economies Review, Springer, vol. 33(3), pages 391-406, July.
    3. Longstaff, Francis A., 2000. "The term structure of very short-term rates: New evidence for the expectations hypothesis," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 58(3), pages 397-415, December.
    4. Wickens, Michael R., 2020. "Forward interest rates as predictors of future US and UK spot rates before and after the 2008 financial crisis," CEPR Discussion Papers 14800, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    5. Mixon, Scott, 2007. "The implied volatility term structure of stock index options," Journal of Empirical Finance, Elsevier, vol. 14(3), pages 333-354, June.
    6. Doug Rolph, 1999. "Federal Funds Futures, Spot Rates, and Expected Changes in Monetary Policy," Computing in Economics and Finance 1999 853, Society for Computational Economics.

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