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A note on the predictability of excess bond returns and regime shifts

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  • Zhu, Xiaoneng

Abstract

This paper shows that the predictability of excess bond returns could be due to the persistence of regime shifts in interest rate dynamics. This is achieved through the introduction of a regime-dependent heteroscedasticity into the discrete Vasicek model. It therefore provides a new perspective on understanding the predictability of excess returns and the violation of the expectations hypothesis. The model implies that more uncertain the current regime is, more predictable excess returns are. The empirical analysis suggests that regime shifts have forecasting power beyond the predictive power contained in time-varying risk premiums and irrational expectations.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhu, Xiaoneng, 2011. "A note on the predictability of excess bond returns and regime shifts," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 8(2), pages 101-109, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:8:y:2011:i:2:p:101-109
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chan, K C, et al, 1992. " An Empirical Comparison of Alternative Models of the Short-Term Interest Rate," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 47(3), pages 1209-1227, July.
    2. Monika Piazzesi & Martin Schneider, 2009. "Trend and cycle in bond premia," Staff Report 424, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.
    3. Vasicek, Oldrich, 1977. "An equilibrium characterization of the term structure," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 5(2), pages 177-188, November.
    4. Sydney C. Ludvigson & Serena Ng, 2009. "Macro Factors in Bond Risk Premia," Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 22(12), pages 5027-5067, December.
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    6. Vasicek, Oldrich Alfonso, 1977. "Abstract: An Equilibrium Characterization of the Term Structure," Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 12(04), pages 627-627, November.
    7. Gray, Stephen F., 1996. "Modeling the conditional distribution of interest rates as a regime-switching process," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 42(1), pages 27-62, September.
    8. Ravi Bansal & Hao Zhou, 2002. "Term Structure of Interest Rates with Regime Shifts," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 57(5), pages 1997-2043, October.
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    10. Fama, Eugene F & Bliss, Robert R, 1987. "The Information in Long-Maturity Forward Rates," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 77(4), pages 680-692, September.
    11. Ang, Andrew & Bekaert, Geert, 2002. "Regime Switches in Interest Rates," Journal of Business & Economic Statistics, American Statistical Association, vol. 20(2), pages 163-182, April.
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    13. Dai, Qiang & Singleton, Kenneth J., 2002. "Expectation puzzles, time-varying risk premia, and affine models of the term structure," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 63(3), pages 415-441, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hassan Shareef & Santhakumar Shijin, 2016. "Expectations Hypothesis and Term Structure of Interest Rates: An Evidence from Emerging Market," Asia-Pacific Financial Markets, Springer;Japanese Association of Financial Economics and Engineering, vol. 23(2), pages 137-152, June.

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