Term-structure modeling Vasicek model

The first generation of term structure models started with a finite factor modeling of the process dynamics with constant coefficients (e.g. Vasicek [73], Brennan and Schwartz [10], Cox, Ingersoll, and Ross [22]). Due to the fact that this type of models are inconsistent with the current term structure, the second generation of models exhibits time dependent coefficients (e.g. Hull and White [41]). A completely different approaeh starts from the direct modeling of the forward rate dynamies, by using the initial term strueture as an input (e.g. Ho, and Lee [39], Heath, Jarrow, and Morton [35]). 

In Chapter 2, we introduced the concept of stochastic processes. Most but not all interest-rate models are essentially descriptions of the short-rate models in terms of stochastic process. Financial literature has tended to categorise models into one of up to six different types, but for our purposes we can generalise them into two types. Thus, we introduce some of the main models, according to their categorisation as equilibrium or arbitrage-free models. This chapter looks at the earlier models, including the first ever term structure model presented by Vasicek (1977). The next chapter considers what have been termed whole yield curve models, or the Heath-Jarrow-Morton family, while Chapter 5 reviews considerations in fitting the yield curve. 

The traditional one-, two- and multi-factor equilibrium models, known as ajfine term structure models (see James and Webber, 2000 or Duffie, 1996, p. 136). These include Gaussian affine models such as Vasicek, Hull-White and Steeley, where the model describes a process with constant volatility and models that have a square-root volatility such as Cox-Ingersoll-Ross (CIR) ... 

In this chapter, we have considered both equilibrium and arbitrage-free interest-rate models. These are one-factor Gaussian models of the term structure of interest rates. We saw that in order to specify a term structure model, the respective authors described the dynamics of the price process, and that this was then used to price a zero-coupon bond. The short-rate that is modelled is assumed to be a risk-free interest rate, and once this is modelled, we can derive the forward rate and the yield of a zero-coupon bond, as well as its price. So, it is possible to model the entire forward rate curve as a function of the current short-rate only, in the Vasicek and Cox-Ingersoll-Ross models, among others. Both the Vasicek and Merton models assume constant parameters, and because of equal probabilities of forward rates and the assumption of a normal distribution, they can, xmder certain conditions relating to the level of the standard deviation, produce negative forward rates. 

Vasicek, O., Fong, H.G., 1982. Term structure modelling using exponential splines. J. Financ. 

The Vasicek model was the first term-structure model described in the academic literature, in Vasicek (1977). It is a yield-based, one-factor equilibrium model that assumes the short-rate process follows a normal distribution and incorporates mean reversion. The model is popular with many practitioners as well as academics because it is analytically tractable—that is, it is easily implemented to compute yield curves. Although it has a constant volatility element, the mean reversion feature removes the certainty of a negative interest rate over the long term. Nevertheless, some practitioners do not favor the model because it is not necessarily arbitrage-free with respect to the prices of actual bonds in the market. 

The academic literature and market participants have proposed a large number of alternatives to the Vasicek term-structure model and models, such as the Hull-White model, that are based on it. Like those they seek to replace, each of the alternatives has advantages and disadvant es. 

This chapter considers some of the techniques used to fit the model-derived term structure to the observed one. The Vasicek, Brennan-Schwartz, Cox-Ingersoll-Ross, and other models discussed in chapter 4 made various assumptions about the nature of the stochastic process that drives interest rates in defining the term structure. The zero-coupon curves derived by those models differ from those constructed from observed market rates or the spot rates implied by market yields. In general, market yield curves have more-variable shapes than those derived by term-structure models. The interest rate models described in chapter 4 must thus be calibrated to market yield curves. This is done in two ways either the model is calibrated to market instruments, such as money market products and interest rate swaps, which are used to construct a yield curve, or it is calibrated to a curve constructed from market-instrument rates. The latter approach may be implemented through a number of non-parametric methods. 

Vasicek, O., and H. G. Fong. 1982. Term Structure Modeling Using Exponential S pXmcs. Journal of Finance 2), May, 339-348. 

Ross, S., 2000. Introduction to Probability Models, seventh ed. Harcourt Academic Press, San Diego. Vasicek, O., 1977. An equilibrium characterisation of the term structure. J. Financ. Econ. 5, 177-188. 

The Hull-White (1990) model is an extension of the Vasicek model designed to produce a precise fit with the current term structure of rates. It is also known as the extended Vasicek model, with the interest rate following a process described by Equation (3.48) ... 

These models are two more general families of models incorporating Vasicek model and CIR model, respectively. The first one is used more often as it can be calibrated to the observable term structure of interest rates and the volatility term structure of spot or forward rates. However, its implied volatility structures may be unrealistic. Hence, it may be wise to use a constant coefficient P(t) = P and a constant volatility parameter a(t) = a and then calibrate the model using only the term structure of market interest rates. It is still theoretically possible that the short rate r may go negative. The risk-neutral probability for the occurrence of such an event is... 

Initially the first formulas on pricing options on pure discount bonds used the Vasicek model for the term structure of interest rates. Thus, given that r follows equation (18.6), the price of a European call option with maturity Tq with exercise price fC on a discount bond maturing at T(Tq < T) is... 

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