Math Problem Statement
You note the following yield curve in The Wall Street Journal. According to the unbiased expectations theory, what is the one-year forward rate for the period beginning two years from today, 3f1?
Maturity
Yield
One Day
2.00%
One Year
5.50%
Two Years
6.50%
Three Years
9.00%
6.50%
9.00%
15.34%
14.18%
Solution
The unbiased expectations theory suggests that long-term interest rates reflect the expected future short-term rates. This theory can be used to calculate forward rates, which are the expected interest rates for future periods.
The formula to calculate the one-year forward rate beginning two years from today (denoted as ) using the unbiased expectations theory is:
Where:
- is the 3-year yield (9.00% or 0.09).
- is the 2-year yield (6.50% or 0.065).
- is the 1-year forward rate for the period starting two years from now, which we need to find.
Step-by-Step Calculation:
-
Convert the yields to decimal form:
-
Substitute the known values into the equation:
- Simplify both sides:
- Solve for :
Conclusion:
The one-year forward rate for the period beginning two years from today is approximately 14.185%.
Would you like more details or have any questions?
Here are 5 related questions you might consider:
- How does the unbiased expectations theory differ from the liquidity preference theory?
- Can the forward rate be lower than the current spot rates?
- How would different yield curve shapes affect forward rate calculations?
- What real-world factors can cause deviations from the unbiased expectations theory?
- How do changes in central bank policies impact forward rates?
Tip: Forward rates are useful tools for estimating future borrowing costs but can be affected by market expectations and risk premiums.
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Math Problem Analysis
Mathematical Concepts
Finance
Forward Rates
Unbiased Expectations Theory
Formulas
(1 + y3)^3 = (1 + y2)^2 (1 + 3f1)
Theorems
Unbiased Expectations Theory
Suitable Grade Level
Undergraduate - Finance or Economics
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