Math Problem Statement

Recall that on a one-year Treasury security the yield is 5.6100% and 8.4150% on a two-year Treasury security. Suppose the one-year security does not have a maturity risk premium, but the two-year security does and it is 0.25%. What is the market’s estimate of the one-year Treasury rate one year from now? (Note: Do not round your intermediate calculations.)

Solution

To calculate the market's estimate of the one-year Treasury rate one year from now, we can use the Expectations Theory of the Term Structure of Interest Rates. This theory suggests that the yield on a longer-term bond (in this case, a two-year Treasury security) is the average of the short-term rates expected over the life of the bond, plus any risk premiums.

Step-by-Step Process:

Let:

  • r1=r_1 = current one-year Treasury rate =5.6100%= 5.6100\%
  • r2=r_2 = current two-year Treasury rate =8.4150%= 8.4150\%
  • MRP2=MRP_2 = maturity risk premium for the two-year Treasury bond =0.25%= 0.25\%
  • f1=f_1 = the forward one-year rate (this is what we are solving for)

We can express the relationship using the formula: (1+r2)2=(1+r1)(1+f1)+MRP2(1 + r_2)^2 = (1 + r_1)(1 + f_1) + \text{{MRP}}_2 where r2r_2 is the two-year yield, r1r_1 is the current one-year yield, f1f_1 is the forward rate one year from now, and MRP_2 is the maturity risk premium on the two-year security.

We will solve for f1f_1, the forward one-year rate.

Formula Rearranged:

(1+r2)2MRP2=(1+r1)(1+f1)(1 + r_2)^2 - \text{{MRP}}_2 = (1 + r_1)(1 + f_1) Then, isolate f1f_1 and solve it:

Let’s calculate this step by step.

The market's estimate of the one-year Treasury rate one year from now is approximately 11.06%.

Would you like further details or have any questions? Here are some related questions to consider:

  1. How does the Expectations Theory influence interest rate predictions?
  2. What factors contribute to a maturity risk premium?
  3. How can forward rates help in predicting future interest rates?
  4. What are the implications of a high forward rate for the economy?
  5. How do interest rate expectations affect investment decisions?

Tip: Forward rates are not guaranteed rates but rather market-implied estimates based on current yield curves and expectations of future interest conditions.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Expectations Theory
Interest Rate
Forward Rate
Maturity Risk Premium

Formulas

(1 + r_2)^2 = (1 + r_1)(1 + f_1) + MRP_2
(1 + r_2)^2 - MRP_2 = (1 + r_1)(1 + f_1)

Theorems

Expectations Theory of the Term Structure of Interest Rates

Suitable Grade Level

College/University Level (Finance, Economics)