THE CLASSIFICATION OF TERM STRUCTURE SHAPES IN THE TWO-FACTOR VASICEK MODEL - A TOTAL POSITIVITY APPROACH

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Martin Keller-Ressel - (Author)

Abstract

We provide a full classification of all attainable term structure shapes in the two-factor Vasicek model of interest rates. In particular, we show that the shapes normal, inverse, humped, dipped and hump-dip are always attainable. In certain parameter regimes, up to four additional shapes can be produced. Our results apply to both forward and yield curves and show that the correlation and the difference in mean-reversion speeds of the two factor processes play a key role in determining the scope of attainable shapes. The key mathematical tool is the theory of total positivity, pioneered by Samuel Karlin and others in the 1950s.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number2150027
Number of pages27
JournalInternational journal of theoretical and applied finance
Volume24
Issue number05
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2021
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 85113341438

Keywords

DFG Classification of Subject Areas according to Review Boards

Keywords

  • yield curve, forward curve, term structure, Vasicek model, interest rates, total positivity, Descartes system