15

Problems and Solutions

3 CHAPTER 3Problems
Exercise 3.1 We consider three zero-coupon bonds (strips) with the following features:
Bond Maturity (years) Price
Bond 1 1 96.43
Bond 2 2 92.47
Bond 3 3 87.97
Each strip delivers $100 at maturity.
1. Extract the zero-coupon yield curve from the bond prices.
2. We anticipate a rate increase in one year so the prices of strips with residual
maturity 1 year, 2 years and 3 years are respectively 95.89, 90.97 and 84.23.
What is the zero-coupon yield curve anticipated in one year?
Solution 3.1 1. The 1-year zero-coupon rate denoted by R(0, 1) is equal to 3.702%
R(0, 1) =
100
96.43
1 = 3.702%
The 2-year zero-coupon rate denoted by R(0, 2) is equal to 3.992%
R(0, 2) =
_
100
92.47
_
1/2
1 = 3.992%
The 3-year zero-coupon rate denoted by R(0, 3) is equal to 4.365%
R(0, 2) =
_
100
87.97
_
1/3
1 = 4.365%
2. The 1-year, 2-year and 3-year zero-coupon rates become respectively 4.286%,
4.846% and 5.887%.
Exercise 3.3 We consider the following decreasing zero-coupon yield curve:
Maturity (years) R(0, t ) (%) Maturity (years) R(0, t ) (%)
1 7.000 6 6.250
2 6.800 7 6.200
3 6.620 8 6.160
4 6.460 9 6.125
5 6.330 10 6.100
where R(0, t ) is the zero-coupon rate at date 0 with maturity t .
1. Compute the par yield curve.
2. Compute the forward yield curve in one year.
3. Draw the three curves on the same graph. What can you say about their relative
position?
16
Problems and Solutions
Solution 3.3 1. Recall that the par yield c(n) for maturity n is given by the formula
c(n) =
1
1
(1+R(0,n))
n

n
i=1
1
(1+R(0,i))
i
Using this equation, we obtain the following par yields:
Maturity (years) c(n) (%) Maturity (years) c(n) (%)
1 7.000 6 6.293
2 6.807 7 6.246
3 6.636 8 6.209
4 6.487 9 6.177
5 6.367 10 6.154
2. Recall that F(0, x, y x), the forward rate as seen from date t = 0, starting at
date t = x, and with residual maturity y x is dened as
F(0, x, y x)
_
(1 +R(0, y))
y
(1 +R(0, x))
x
_ 1
yx
1
Using the previous equation, we obtain the forward yield curve in one year
Maturity (years) F(0, 1, n) (%) Maturity (years) F(0, 1, n) (%)
1 6.600 6 6.067
2 6.431 7 6.041
3 6.281 8 6.016
4 6.163 9 6.000
5 6.101
3. The graph of the three curves shows that the forward yield curve is below the
zero-coupon yield curve, which is below the par yield curve. This is always the
case when the par yield curve is decreasing.
5.75
6.00
6.25
6.50
6.75
7.00
7.25
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Maturity
Y
i
e
l
d

(
%
)
Par yield curve
Zero-coupon yield curve
Forward yield curve
17
Problems and Solutions
Exercise 3.8 When the current par yield curve is increasing (respectively, decreasing), the cur-
rent zero-coupon rate curve is above (respectively, below) it, so as to offset the fact
that the sum of the coupons discounted at the coupon rate is inferior (respectively,
superior) to the sum of the coupons discounted at the zero-coupon rate. Give a
proof of this assertion.
Solution 3.8 Let us denote by c(i) , the par yield with maturity i and by R(0, i), the zero-coupon
rate with maturity i.
Let us assume for k < n that c(n) > c(k)
At the rst rank, we have R(0, 1) = c(1)
At the second rank,
c(2)
1 +c(2)
+
1 +c(2)
(1 +c(2))
2
=
c(2)
1 +R(0, 1)
+
1 +c(2)
[(1 +R(0, 2)]
2
Let us do a limited development at the rst order of this last expression. Then
c(2).(1 c(2)) +(1 +c(2)).(1 2c(2)) = c(2).(1 R(0, 1))
+(1 +c(2)).(1 2R(0, 2))
R(0, 2) c(2) =
1
2
.
c(2)
1 +c(2)
.(c(2) c(1))
As c(2) > c(1), R(0, 2) > c(2).
The proposition is true at the rst and second ranks. Let us assume that it is
true at rank n 1 and let us prove it at rank n.
n

k=1
c(n)
(1 +c(n))
k
+
1
(1 +c(n))
n
=
n

k=1
c(n)
(1 +R(0, k))
k
+
1
(1 +R(0, n))
n
Let us do again a limited development at the rst order. Then
n

k=1
c(n).(1 kc(n)) +1 nc(n) =
n

k=1
c(n).(1 kR(0, k)) +1 nR(0, n)
After simplication
R(0, n) c(n) =
1
n
.
c(n)
1 +c(n)
.
_
n

k=1
k.(c(n) c(k)) +
c(n 1)
1 +c(n 1)
n1

k=1
c(k)
_
as
c(n1)
1+c(n1)

n1
k=1
c(k) can be considered negligible since
c(n1)
1+c(n1)
is close to
zero, we can make the following approximation:
R(0, n) c(n) =
1
n
.
c(n)
1 +c(n)
.
n

k=1
k.(c(n) c(k))
As c(n) > c(k), we obtain R(0, n) > c(n), which proves the assertion.
Exercise 3.11 At date t = 0, we observe the following zero-coupon rates in the market:
18
Problems and Solutions
Maturity Zero-Coupon Maturity Zero-Coupon
(years) Rate (%) (years) Rate (%)
1 5.00 4 6.80
2 6.00 5 7.00
3 6.50
1. What are the 1-year maturity forward rates implied by the current term structure?
2. Over a long period, we observe the mean spreads between 1-year maturity for-
ward rates and 1-year maturity realized rates in the future. We nd the following
liquidity premiums:
L
2
= 0.1%
L
3
= 0.175%
L
4
= 0.225%
L
5
= 0.250%
Taking into account these liquidity premiums, what are the 1-year maturity
future rates expected by the market?
Solution 3.11 1. 1-year maturity forward rates are given by the following formula:
[1 +R(0, T )]
T
= [1 +R(0, T 1)]
T 1
. [1 +F(0, T 1, 1)]
where R(0, T ) is the zero-coupon rate at date t = 0 with T -year maturity
and F(0, T 1, 1) is the 1-year maturity forward rate observed at date t = 0,
starting at date t = T 1 and maturing one year later.
F(0, 4, 1) is obtained by solving the following equation:
F(0, 4, 1) =
(1 +7%)
5
(1 +6.8%)
4
1 = 7.804%
Using the same equation, we obtain
Forward Rates
F(0, 1, 1) 7.009%
F(0, 2, 1) 7.507%
F(0, 3, 1) 7.705%
2. 1-year maturity future rates expected by the market are given by the following
formula:
[1 +R(0, T )]
T
= [1 +R(0, T 1)]
T 1
.[1 +F
a
(0, T 1, 1) +L
T
]
where F
a
(0, T 1, 1) is the 1-year maturity future rate expected by the market
at date t = 0, starting at date t = T 1 and nishing one year later.
Using the last equation, we nd the relation between the forward rate and
the future rate expected by the market
F
a
(0, T 1, 1) = F(0, T 1, 1) L
T
19
Problems and Solutions
We nally obtain
Expected Future Rates
F
a
(0, 1, 1) 6.909%
F
a
(0, 2, 1) 7.332%
F
a
(0, 3, 1) 7.480%
F
a
(0, 4, 1) 7.554%
Exercise 3.12 Monetary policy and long-term interest rates
Consider an investor with a 4-year investment horizon. The short-term (long-
term respectively) yield is taken as the 1-year (4-year respectively) yield. The
medium-term yields are taken as the 2-year and 3-year yields. We assume, fur-
thermore, that the assumptions of the pure expectations theory are valid.
For each of the following ve scenarios, determine the spot-yield curve at
date t = 1. The yield curve is supposed to be initially at at the level of 4%, at
date t = 0.
(a) Investors do not expect any Central Bank rate increase over four years.
(b) The Central Bank increases its prime rate, leading the short-term rate
from 4 to 5%. Investors do not expect any other increase over four years.
(c) The Central Bank increases its prime rate, leading the short-term rate from
4 to 5%. Investors expect another short-term rate increase by 1% at the beginning
of the second year, then no other increase over the last two years.
(d) The Central Bank increases its prime rate, leading the short-term rate
from 4 to 5%. Nevertheless, investors expect a short-term rate decrease by 1% at
the beginning of the second year, then no other change over the last two years.
(e) The Central Bank increases its prime rate, leading the short-term rate
from 4 to 5%. Nevertheless, investors expect a short-term rate decrease by 1%
each year, over the following three years.
What conclusions do you draw from that as regards the relationship existing
between monetary policy and interest rates?
Solution 3.12 Let us denote F
a
(1, n, m), the m-year maturity future rate anticipated by the mar-
ket at date t = 1 and starting at date t = n, and R(1, n) the n-year maturity
zero-coupon rate at date t = 1.
In each scenario, we have
Scenario a Scenario b Scenario c Scenario d Scenario e
% % % % %
R(1, 1) 4.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00
F
a
(1, 2, 1) 4.00 5.00 6.00 4.00 4.00
F
a
(1, 2, 2) 4.00 5.00 6.00 4.00 3.00
F
a
(1, 2, 3) 4.00 5.00 6.00 4.00 2.00
Using the following equation:
1 +R(t, n) = [(1 +R(t, 1))(1 +F
a
(t, t +1, 1))(1 +F
a
(t, t +2, 1)) . . .
(1 +F
a
(t, t +n 1, 1))]
1/n
20
Problems and Solutions
we nd the spot zero-coupon yield curve in each scenario.
Scenario a Scenario b Scenario c Scenario d Scenario e
% % % % %
R(1, 1) 4.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00
R(1, 2) 4.00 5.00 5.50 4.50 4.50
R(1, 3) 4.00 5.00 5.67 4.33 4.00
R(1, 4) 4.00 5.00 5.75 4.25 3.49
In the framework of the pure expectations theory, monetary policy affects
long-term rates by directly impacting spot and forward short-term rates, which
are supposed to be equal to market short-term rate expectations. But what about
these expectations? The purpose of the exercise is to show that market short-
term rate expectations play a determining role in the response of the yield curve
to monetary policy. More meaningful than the Central Bank action itself is the
way market participants interpret this action. Is it a temporary action or rather the
beginning of a series of similar actions. . . ? We can draw three conclusions from
the exercise.
First, the direction taken by interest rates compared with that of the Cen-
tral Bank prime rate depends on the likelihood, perceived by the market, that the
Central Bank will question its action in the future through reversing its stance.
Under the (b) and (c) scenarios, the Central bank action is perceived to either fur-
ther increase its prime rate or leave things as they are. Consequently, long-term
rates increase following the increase in the prime rate. Under the (d) scenario, the
Central Bank is expected to exactly offset its increasing action in the future. Nev-
ertheless, its action on short-term rates still remains positive over the period. As
a result, long-term interest rates still increase. In contrast, under the (e) scenario,
the Central Bank is expected to completely reverse its stance through a decreas-
ing action in the future, that more than offsets its initial action. Consequently,
long-term interest rates decrease.
Second, the magnitude of the response of long-term rates to monetary pol-
icy depends on the degree of monetary policy persistence that is expected by the
market. Under the (b) and (c) scenarios, the Central Bank action is viewed as rel-
atively persistent. Consequently, the long-term interest-rate change either reects
the instantaneous change in the prime rate or exceeds it. Under the (d) scenario, as
the Central Bank action is perceived as temporary, the change in long-term rates
is smaller than the change in the prime rate.
Third, the reaction of long-term rates to monetary policy is more volatile
than that of short-term rates. That is, the signicance of the impact of market
expectations on interest rates increases with the maturity of interest rates. These
expectations only play a very small role on short-term rates. As illustrated by
the exercise, the variation margin of the 2-year interest rate following a 100-bps
increase of the Central Bank prime rate is contained between 50 and 150 bps, while
the variation margin of the 4-year interest rate is more volatile (between 50 bp
and +175 bps).
21
Problems and Solutions
Exercise 3.13 Explain the basic difference that exists between the preferred habitat theory and
the segmentation theory.
Solution 3.13 In the segmentation theory, investors are supposed to be 100% risk-averse. So
risk premia are innite. It is as if their investment habitat were strictly con-
strained, exclusive.
In the preferred habitat theory, investors are not supposed to be 100% risk
averse. So, there exists a certain level of risk premia from which they are ready
to change their habitual investment maturity. Their investment habitat is, in this
case, not exclusive.
4 CHAPTER 4Problems
Exercise 4.1 At date t = 0, we consider ve bonds with the following features:
Annual
Coupon Maturity Price
Bond 1 6 1 year P
1
0
= 103
Bond 2 5 2 years P
2
0
= 102
Bond 3 4 3 years P
3
0
= 100
Bond 4 6 4 years P
4
0
= 104
Bond 5 5 5 years P
5
0
= 99
Derive the zero-coupon curve until the 5-year maturity.
Solution 4.1 Using the no-arbitrage relationship, we obtain the following equations for the ve
bond prices:
_

_
103 = 106B(0, 1)
102 = 5B(0, 1) +105B(0, 2)
100 = 4B(0, 1) +4B(0, 2) +104B(0, 3)
104 = 6B(0, 1) +6B(0, 2) +6B(0, 3) +106B(0, 4)
99 = 5B(0, 1) +5B(0, 2) +5B(0, 3) +5B(0, 4) +105B(0, 5)
which can be expressed in a matrix form as
_
_
_
_
_
_
103
102
100
104
99
_
_
_
_
_
_
=
_
_
_
_
_
_
106
5 105
4 4 104
6 6 6 106
5 5 5 5 105
_
_
_
_
_
_

_
_
_
_
_
_
B(0, 1)
B(0, 2)
B(0, 3)
B(0, 4)
B(0, 5)
_
_
_
_
_
_
We get the following discount factors:
_
_
_
_
_
_
B(0, 1)
B(0, 2)
B(0, 3)
B(0, 4)
B(0, 5)
_
_
_
_
_
_
=
_
_
_
_
_
_
0.97170
0.92516
0.88858
0.82347
0.77100
_
_
_
_
_
_
22
Problems and Solutions
and we nd the zero-coupon rates
_
_
_
_
_
_
R(0, 1) = 2.912%
R(0, 2) = 3.966%
R(0, 3) = 4.016%
R(0, 4) = 4.976%
R(0, 5) = 5.339%
_
_
_
_
_
_
Exercise 4.3 Suppose we know from market prices, the following zero-coupon rates with matu-
rities inferior or equal to one year:
Maturity Zero-coupon Rate (%)
1 Day 3.20
1 Month 3.30
2 Months 3.40
3 Months 3.50
6 Months 3.60
9 Months 3.80
1 Year 4.00
Now, we consider the following bonds priced by the market until the 4-year matu-
rity:
Maturity Annual Coupon (%) Gross Price
1 Year and 3 Months 4 102.8
1 Year and 6 Months 4.5 102.5
2 Years 3.5 98.3
3 Years 4 98.7
4 Years 5 101.6
The compounding frequency is assumed to be annual.
1. Using the bootstrapping method, compute the zero-coupon rates for the follow-
ing maturities: 1 year and 3 months, 1 year and 6 months, 2 years, 3 years and
4 years.
2. Draw the zero-coupon yield curve using a linear interpolation.
Solution 4.3 1. We rst extract the 1-year-and-3-month maturity zero-coupon rate. In the ab-
sence of arbitrage opportunities, the price of this bond is the sum of its future
discounted cash ows:
102.8 =
4
(1 +3.5%)
1/4
+
104
(1 +x)
1+1/4
where x is the 1-year-and-3-month maturity zero-coupon rate to be determined.
Solving this equation (for example with the Excel solver), we obtain 4.16% for
x. Applying the same procedure with the 1-year and 6-month maturity and the
2-year maturity bonds, we obtain respectively 4.32% and 4.41% for x. Next,
23
Problems and Solutions
we have to extract the 3-year maturity zero-coupon rate, solving the following
equation:
98.7 =
4
(1 +4%)
+
4
(1 +4.41%)
2
+
104
(1 +y%)
3
y is equal to 4.48% and nally, we extract the 4-year maturity zero-coupon rate
denoted by z, solving the following equation:
101.6 =
5
(1 +4%)
+
5
(1 +4.41%)
2
+
5
(1 +4.48%)
3
+
105
(1 +z%)
4
z is equal to 4.57%.
2. Using the linear graph option in Excel, we draw the zero-coupon yield
curve
3.00
3.20
3.40
3.60
3.80
4.00
4.20
4.40
4.60
4.80
0 1 2 3 4
Maturity
Z
e
r
o
-
c
o
u
p
o
n

r
a
t
e

(
%
)
Exercise 4.4 1. The 10-year and 12-year zero-coupon rates are respectively equal to 4% and
4.5%. Compute the 11
1/4
and 11
3/4
-year zero-coupon rates using linear inter-
polation.
2. Same question when you know the 10-year and 15-year zero-coupon rates that
are respectively equal to 8.6% and 9%.
Solution 4.4 Assume that we know R(0, x) and R(0, z) respectively as the x-year and the
z -year zero-coupon rates. We need to get R(0, y), the y-year zero-coupon rate
with y [x; z]. Using linear interpolation, R(0, y) is given by the following for-
mula:
R(0, y) =
(z y)R(0, x) +(y x)R(0, z)
z x
1. The 11
1/4
and 11
3/4
-year zero-coupon rates are obtained as follows:
R(0, 11
1/4
) =
0.75 4%+1.25 4.5%
2
= 4.3125%
24
Problems and Solutions
R(0, 11
3/4
) =
0.25 4%+1.75 4.5%
2
= 4.4375%
2. The 11
1/4
and 11
3/4
-year zero-coupon rates are obtained as follows:
R(0, 11
1/4
) =
3.75 8.6%+1.25 9%
5
= 8.70%
R(0, 11
3/4
) =
3.25 8.6%+1.75 9%
5
= 8.74%
Exercise 4.7 From the prices of zero-coupon bonds quoted in the market, we obtain the follow-
ing zero-coupon curve:
Maturity (years) Zero-coupon Rate R(0, t ) (%) Discount Factor B(0, t )
1 5.000 0.95238
2 5.500 0.89845
3 5.900 0.84200
4 6.200 0.78614
5 ? ?
6 6.550 0.68341
7 6.650 0.63720
8 ? ?
9 6.830 0.55177
10 6.900 0.51312
where R(0, t ) is the zero-coupon rate at date 0 for maturity t , and B(0, t ) is the
discount factor at date 0 for maturity t .
We need to know the value for the 5-year and the 8-year zero-coupon rates.
We have to estimate them and test four different methods.
1. We use a linear interpolation with the zero-coupon rates. Find R(0, 5), R(0, 8)
and the corresponding values for B(0, 5) and B(0, 8).
2. We use a linear interpolation with the discount factors. Find B(0, 5), B(0, 8)
and the corresponding values for R(0, 5) and R(0, 8).
3. We postulate the following form for the zero-coupon rate function

R(0, t ):

R(0, t ) = a +bt +ct

2
+dt
3
Estimate the coefcients a, b, c and d, which best approximate the given zero-
coupon rates using the following optimization program:
Min
a,b,c,d

i
(B(0, i)

B(0, i))
2
where B(0, i) are the zero-coupon rates given by the market.
Find the value for R(0, 5) =

R(0, 5), R(0, 8) =

R(0, 8), and the corre-

sponding values for B(0, 5) and B(0, 8).
25
Problems and Solutions
4. We postulate the following form for the discount function

B(0, t ):

B(0, t ) = a +bt +ct

2
+dt
3
Estimate the coefcients a, b, c and d, which best approximate the given
discount factors using the following optimization program:
Min
a,b,c,d

i
(B(0, i)

B(0, i))
2
where B(0, i) are the discount factors given by the market.
Obtain the value for B(0, 5) =

B(0, 5), B(0, 8) =

B(0, 8), and the corre-

sponding values for R(0, 5) and R(0, 8).
5. Conclude.
Solution 4.7 1. Consider that we know R(0, x) and R(0, z) respectively as the x-year and the
z-year zero-coupon rates and that we need R(0, y), the y-year zero-coupon rate
with y [x; z]. Using linear interpolation, R(0, y) is given by the following
formula:
R(0, y) =
(z y)R(0, x) +(y x)R(0, z)
z x
From this equation, we nd the value for R(0, 5) and R(0, 8)
R(0, 5) =
(6 5)R(0, 4) +(5 4)R(0, 6)
6 4
=
R(0, 4) +R(0, 6)
2
= 6.375%
R(0, 8) =
(9 8)R(0, 7) +(8 7)R(0, 9)
9 7
=
R(0, 7) +R(0, 9)
2
= 6.740%
Using the following standard equation in which lies the zero-coupon rate R(0, t )
and the discount factor B(0, t )
B(0, t ) =
1
(1 +R(0, t ))
t
we obtain 0.73418 for B(0, 5) and 0.59345 for B(0, 8).
2. Using the same formula as in question 1 but adapting to discount factors
B(0, y) =
(z y)B(0, x) +(y x)B(0, z)
z x
we obtain 0.73478 for B(0, 5) and 0.59449 for B(0, 8).
Using the following standard equation
R(0, t ) =
_
1
B(0, t )
_
1/t
1
we obtain 6.358% for R(0, 5) and 6.717% for R(0, 8).
3. Using the Excel function Linest, we obtain the following values for the param-
eters:
26
Problems and Solutions
Parameters Value
a 0.04351367
b 0.00720757
c 0.000776521
d 3.11234E-05
which provide us with the following values for the zero-coupon rates and asso-
ciated discount factors:
Maturity R(0, t ) (%)

R(0, t ) (%) B(0, t )

B(0, t )
1 5.000 4.998 0.95238 0.95240
2 5.500 5.507 0.89845 0.89833
3 5.900 5.899 0.84200 0.84203
4 6.200 6.191 0.78614 0.78641
5 ? 6.403 ? 0.73322
6 6.550 6.553 0.68341 0.68330
7 6.650 6.659 0.63720 0.63681
8 ? 6.741 ? 0.59339
9 6.830 6.817 0.55177 0.55237
10 6.900 6.906 0.51312 0.51283
4. We rst note that there is a constraint in the minimization because we must
have
B(0, 0) = 1
So, the value for a is necessarily equal to 1.
Using the Excel function Linest, we obtain the following values for the
parameters:
Parameters Value
a 1
b 0.04945479
c 0.001445358
d 0.000153698
which provide us with the following values for the discount factors and associ-
ated zero-coupon rates:
Maturity B(0, t )

B(0, t ) R(0, t ) (%)

R(0, t ) (%)
1 0.95238 0.94925 5.000 5.346
2 0.89845 0.89654 5.500 5.613
3 0.84200 0.84278 5.900 5.867
4 0.78614 0.78889 6.200 6.107
5 ? 0.73580 ? 6.328
6 0.68341 0.68444 6.550 6.523
7 0.63720 0.63571 6.650 6.686
8 ? 0.59055 ? 6.805
9 0.55177 0.54988 6.830 6.871
10 0.51312 0.51461 6.900 6.869
27
Problems and Solutions
5. The table below summarizes the results obtained using the four different meth-
ods of interpolation and minimization
Rates Interpol. DF Interpol. Rates Min. DF Min.
R(0, 5) 6.375% 6.358% 6.403% 6.328%
R(0, 8) 6.740% 6.717% 6.741% 6.805%
B(0, 5) 0.73418 0.73478 0.73322 0.73580
B(0, 8) 0.59345 0.59449 0.59339 0.59055
Rates Interpol. stands for interpolation on rates (question 1). DF Interpol.
stands for interpolation on discount factors (question 2). Rates Min stands for
minimization with rates (question 3). DF Min. stands for minimization with
discount factors (question 4).
The table shows that results are quite similar according to the two methods
based on rates. Differences appear when we compare the four methods. In par-
ticular, we can obtain a spread of 7.5 bps for the estimation of R(0, 5) between
Rates Min. and DF Min., and a spread of 8.8 bps for the estimation of R(0, 8)
between the two methods based on discount factors. We conclude that the zero-
coupon rate and discount factor estimations are sensitive to the method that is used:
interpolation or minimization.
Exercise 4.8 From the prices of zero-coupon bonds quoted in the market, we obtain the follow-
ing zero-coupon curve:
Maturity (years) R(0, t ) (%) Maturity (years) R(0, t ) (%)
0.5 7.500 5 8.516
1 7.130 6 8.724
1.25 7.200 7 8.846
2 7.652 8 8.915
3 8.023 10 8.967
4 8.289
where R(0, t ) is the zero-coupon rate at date 0 with maturity t , and B(0, t ) is the
discount factor at date 0 with maturity t .
We need to know the value for R(0, 0.8), R(0, 1.5), R(0, 3.4), R(0, 5.25),
R(0, 8.3) and R(0, 9), where R(0, i) is the zero-coupon rate at date 0 with maturity
i. We have to estimate them, and test two different methods.
1. We postulate the following form for the zero-coupon rate function

R(0, t ):

R(0, t ) = a +bt +ct

2
+dt
3
(a) Estimate the coefcients a, b, c and d, which best approximate the given
zero-coupon rates using the following optimization program:
Min
a,b,c,d

i
(R(0, i)

R(0, i))
2
28
Problems and Solutions
where R(0, i) are the zero-coupon rates given by the market. Compare these
rates R(0, i) to the rates

R(0, i) given by the model.
(b) Find the value for the six zero-coupon rates that we are looking for.
(c) Draw the two following curves on the same graph:
The market curve by plotting the market points.
The theoretical curve as derived from the prespecied functional
form.
2. Same question as the previous one. But we now postulate the following form
for the discount function

B(0, t ):

B(0, t ) = a +bt +ct

2
+dt
3
Estimate the coefcients a, b, c and d, which best approximate the given
discount factors using the following optimization program:
Min
a,b,c,d

i
(B(0, i)

B(0, i))
2
where B(0, i) are the discount factors given by the market.
3. Conclude.
Solution 4.8 1. (a) Using the Excel function Linest, we obtain the following values for the
parameters
Parameters Value
a 0.070774834
b 0.00254927
c 0.000175503
d 2.44996E-05
which provide us with the theoretical values for the zero-coupon rates

R(0, t )
given by the model and compared with the market values R(0, t )
Maturity (years) R(0, t ) (%)

R(0, t ) (%)
0.5 7.500 7.209
1 7.130 7.348
1.25 7.200 7.419
2 7.652 7.638
3 8.023 7.934
4 8.289 8.221
5 8.516 8.485
6 8.724 8.710
7 8.846 8.882
8 8.915 8.986
10 8.967 8.932
29
Problems and Solutions
(b) We nd the value for the six other zero-coupon rates we are looking for in
the following table:
Maturity (years)

R(0, t ) (%)
0.8 7.291
1.5 7.491
3.4 8.051
5.25 8.545
8.3 9.002
9 9.007
(c) We now draw the graph of the market curve and the theoretical curve. We
see that the three-order polynomial form used to model the zero-coupon rates
is not well adapted to the market conguration, which is an inverted curve
at the short-term segment.
7.00
7.50
8.00
8.50
9.00
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Maturity
Z
e
r
o
-
c
o
u
p
o
n

r
a
t
e
s

(
%
)
2. (a) We rst note that there is a constraint in the minimization because we must
have
B(0, 0) = 1
So the value for a is necessarily equal to 1.
Using the Excel function Linest, we obtain the following values
for the parameters:
Parameters Value
a 1
b 0.06865628
c 0.000397845
d 0.000151057
which provide us with the following values for the discount factors and
associated zero-coupon rates:
30
Problems and Solutions
Maturity (years) B(0, t )

B(0, t ) R(0, t ) (%)

R(0, t ) (%)
0.5 0.96449 0.96559 7.500 7.254
1 0.93345 0.93110 7.130 7.400
1.25 0.91676 0.91385 7.200 7.473
2 0.86289 0.86230 7.652 7.689
3 0.79333 0.79453 8.023 7.968
4 0.72721 0.72868 8.289 8.235
5 0.66456 0.66565 8.516 8.480
6 0.60541 0.60637 8.724 8.695
7 0.55248 0.55172 8.846 8.867
8 0.50501 0.50263 8.915 8.979
10 0.42369 0.42471 8.967 8.941
(b) By using the standard relationship between the discount factor and the zero-
coupon rate

R(0, t ) =
_
1

B(0, t )
_
1/t
1
we nd the value for the six other zero-coupon rates we are looking for in
the following table:
Maturity (years)

B(0, t )

R(0, t ) (%)
0.8 0.94490 7.342
1.5 0.89663 7.545
3.4 0.76791 8.077
5.25 0.65045 8.537
8.3 0.48912 8.998
9 0.45999 9.012
(c) We now draw the graph of the market curve and the theoretical curve. We
can see that the three-order polynomial form used to model the discount
function is not well adapted to the market conguration considered.
7.00
7.50
8.00
8.50
9.00
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Maturity
Z
e
r
o
-
c
o
u
p
o
n

r
a
t
e
s

(
%
)
31
Problems and Solutions
3. Note rst that this is a case of an inverted zero-coupon curve at the short-term
end. We conclude that the two functional forms we have tested are unadapted
to t with accuracy the observed market zero-coupon rates.
Exercise 4.10 Consider the Nelson and Siegel model
R
c
(0, ) =
0
+
1
_
1 exp
_

_
+
2
_
1 exp
_

exp
_

_
_
Our goal is to analyze the impact of the parameter 1/ on the zero-coupon
curve for three different congurations, an increasing curve, a decreasing curve
and an inverted curve at the short-term end.
1. We consider the increasing curve corresponding to the following base-case
parameter values:
0
= 8%,
1
= 3%,
2
= 1% and 1/ = 0.3. We give
successively ve different values to the parameter 1/: 1/ = 0.1, 1/ = 0.2,
1/ = 0.3, 1/ = 0.4 and 1/ = 0.5. The other parameters are xed. Draw
the ve different yield curves to estimate the effect of the parameter 1/.
2. We consider the decreasing curve corresponding to the following base-case
parameter values:
0
= 8%,
1
= 3%,
2
= 1% and 1/ = 0.3. We give
successively ve different values to the parameter 1/: 1/ = 0.1, 1/ = 0.2,
1/ = 0.3, 1/ = 0.4 and 1/ = 0.5. The other parameters are xed. Draw
the ve different yield curves to estimate the effect of the parameter 1/.
3. We consider the inverted curve corresponding to the following base-case param-
eter values:
0
= 8%,
1
= 1%,
2
= 2% and 1/ = 0.3. We give suc-
cessively ve different values to the parameter 1/: 1/ = 0.1, 1/ = 0.2,
1/ = 0.3, 1/ = 0.4 and 1/ = 0.5. The other parameters are xed. Draw
the ve different yield curves to estimate the effect of the parameter 1/.
Solution 4.10 1. The following graph shows clearly the effect of the parameter 1/ in the ve
different scenarios for an increasing curve. The parameter 1/ affects the slope
of the curve. The higher the 1/, the more rapidly the curve goes to its long-term
level (8% in the exercise).
0.05
0.055
0.06
0.065
0.07
0.075
0.08
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Maturity
Z
e
r
o
-
c
o
u
p
o
n

r
a
t
e
1/t = 0.1
1/t = 0.2
1/t = 0.3
1/t = 0.4
1/t = 0.5
32
Problems and Solutions
2. The following graph shows clearly the effect of the parameter 1/ in the ve
different scenarios for a decreasing curve. The parameter 1/ affects the slope of
the curve. The higher 1/, the more rapidly the curve goes to its long-term level
(8% in the exercise). The effect for a decreasing curve is exactly symmetrical
to the effect for an increasing curve.
0.08
0.085
0.09
0.095
0.1
0.105
0.11
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Maturity
Z
e
r
o
-
c
o
u
p
o
n

r
a
t
e
1/t = 0.1
1/t = 0.2
1/t = 0.3
1/t = 0.4
1/t = 0.5
3. The following graph shows clearly the effect of the parameter 1/ in the ve
different scenarios for an inverted curve. The parameter 1/ affects the slope
of the curve, and the maturity point where the curve becomes increasing. The
higher 1/, the lower the maturity point where the curve becomes increasing.
For example, this maturity point is around 1.5 years for 1/ equal to 0.5, and
around 8 years for 1/ equal to 0.1.
Maturity
Z
e
r
o
-
c
o
u
p
o
n

r
a
t
e
0.068
0.069
0.07
0.071
0.072
0.073
0.074
0.075
0.076
0.077
0.078
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
1/t = 0.1
1/t = 0.2
1/t = 0.3
1/t = 0.4
1/t = 0.5
33
Problems and Solutions
Exercise 4.15 Consider the Nelson and Siegel Extended model
R
c
(0, ) =
0
+
1
_
_
1 exp
_

1
_

1
_
_
+
2
_
_
1 exp
_

1
_

1
exp
_

1
_
_
_
+
3
_
_
1 exp
_

2
_

2
exp
_

2
_
_
_
with the following base-case parameter values:
0
= 8%,
1
= 3%,
2
= 1%,

3
= 1%, 1/
1
= 0.3 and 1/
2
= 3.
We give successively ve different values to the parameter
3
:
3
=
3%,
3
= 2%,
3
= 1%,
3
= 0% and
3
= 1%. The other parameters are
xed. Draw the ve different yield curves to estimate the effect of the curvature
factor
3
.
Solution 4.15 The following graph shows clearly the effect of the curvature factor
3
for the ve
different scenarios:
0.04
0.045
0.05
0.055
0.06
0.065
0.07
0.075
0.08
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Maturity
Z
e
r
o
-
c
o
u
p
o
n

r
a
t
e
b
3
= 3%
b
3
= 2%
base case
b
3
= 0%
b
3
= 1%
Exercise 4.16 Deriving the Interbank Zero-coupon Yield Curve
On 03/15/02, we get from the market the following Euribor rates, futures
contract prices and swap rates (see Chapters 10 and 11 for more details about
swaps and futures)
34
Problems and Solutions
Maturity Euribor Contract Futures Maturity Swap
Rate Maturity Price Maturity Rate (%)
03/22/02 4.07% 06/15/02 95.2 03/15/04 5.20
03/29/02 4.11% 09/15/02 95.13 03/15/05 5.36
04/15/02 4.15% 12/15/02 94.93 03/15/06 5.49
05/15/02 4.26% 03/15/03 94.79 03/15/07 5.61
06/15/02 4.34% 06/15/03 94.69 03/15/08 5.71
07/15/02 4.44% 09/15/03 94.54 03/15/09 5.75
08/15/02 4.53% 03/15/10 5.79
03/15/11 5.82
03/15/12 5.84
Note that the underlying asset of the futures contract is a three-month Euribor
rate. For example, the rst contract matures on 06/15/02, and the underlying asset
matures three months later on 09/15/02.
1. Extract the implied zero-coupon rates from market data.
2. Draw the zero-coupon yield curve by building a linear interpolation between
the implied zero-coupon rates.
Solution 4.16 1. We rst extract the implied zero-coupon rates from the Euribor rates using the
following formula:
R
_
0,
x
365
_
=
_
1 +
x
360
.Euribor
x
_365
x
1
where R
_
0,
x
365
_
and Euribor
x
are respectively the zero-coupon rate and the
Euribor rate with residual maturity x (as a number of days).
We obtain the following results:
x Euribor
x
(%) R
_
0,
x
365
_
(%)
7 4.07 4.211
14 4.11 4.252
31 4.15 4.290
61 4.26 4.398
92 4.34 4.473
122 4.44 4.569
153 4.53 4.654
We now extract the implied zero-coupon rates from the futures price using
the following formula:
B
f
_
0,
x
365
,
y
365
_
=
B
_
0,
y
365
_
B
_
0,
x
365
_
35
Problems and Solutions
which transforms into
_
1 +(100 Futures Price)%.
_
y x
360
__
=
B
_
0,
x
365
_
B
_
0,
y
365
_
and nally enables to obtain
R
_
0,
y
365
_
=
_
1
B
_
0,
x
365
_ .
_
1 +(100 Futures Price)%.
_
y x
360
__
_365
y
1
where B(0, t ) is the discount factor with maturity t and B
f
(0, t, T ) the forward
discount factor determined at date 0, beginning at date t and nishing at date T .
Using the last equation, we obtain the following results (FP stands for
Futures Price)
x y B
_
0,
x
365
_
FP R
_
0,
y
365
_
(%)
92 184 0.98903 95.2 4.714
184 275 0.97705 95.13 4.819
275 365 0.96516 94.93 4.923
365 457 0.95308 94.79 5.016
457 549 0.94056 94.69 5.096
549 640 0.92797 94.54 5.175
Detailing the calculations for the rst line of the previous table, we obtain
x = number of days between the 03/15/02 and the 06/15/02
y = number of days between the 03/15/02 and the 09/15/02
B
_
0,
x
365
_
=
1
(1 +4.473%)
92/365
= 0.98903
FP = 95.20
R
_
0,
y
365
_
= 4.714%
We now extract the implied zero-coupon rates from the swap rates using
the following formula:
SR(n)
1 +R(0, 1)
+
SR(n)
(1 +R(0, 2))
2
+ +
1 +SR(n)
(1 +R(0, n))
n
= 1
which enables us to obtain
R(0, n) =
_
_
_
_
1
1
SR(n)
1+R(0,1)

SR(n)
(1+R(0,n1))
n1
_
_
(1 +SR(n))
_
_
1
n
1
where SR(n) is the swap rate with maturity n.
36
Problems and Solutions
We then obtain the following results:
n SR(n) (%) R(0, n) (%)
2 5.20 5.207
3 5.36 5.374
4 5.49 5.512
5 5.61 5.642
6 5.71 5.753
7 5.75 5.795
8 5.79 5.839
9 5.82 5.872
10 5.84 5.893
2. We obtain the following interbank zero-coupon yield curve:
4.00
4.20
4.40
4.60
4.80
5.00
5.20
5.40
5.60
5.80
6.00
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Maturity
Z
e
r
o
-
c
o
u
p
o
n

r
a
t
e

(
%
)
5 CHAPTER 5Problems
Exercise 5.1 Calculate the percentage price change for 4 bonds with different annual coupon
rates (5% and 10%) and different maturities (3 years and 10 years), starting with
a common 7.5% YTM (with annual compounding frequency), and assuming suc-
cessively a new yield of 5%, 7%, 7.49%, 7.51%, 8% and 10%.
Solution 5.1 Results are given in the following table: