Out-of-sample Predictions of Bond Excess Returns and Forward Rates: An Asset-Allocation Perspective

38 Pages Posted: 7 Oct 2010 Last revised: 21 Oct 2010

See all articles by Daniel L. Thornton

Daniel L. Thornton

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis - Research Division

Giorgio Valente

Hong Kong Institute for Monetary and Financial Research (HKIMR)

Date Written: October 5, 2010

Abstract

This paper revisits the predictability of bond excess returns by means of long-term forward interest rates. We assess the economic value of out-of-sample forecasting ability of empirical models based on forward rates in a dynamic asset allocation strategy. Our results show that the information content of forward rates does not generate any systematic economic value to investors. The performance of the predictive models against the no-predictability benchmark worsens over time and the few positive performance fees recorded from dynamic portfolio strategies based on forward rates are generally small in size and do not offset realistic transaction costs.

Keywords: bond yields, bond excess returns, predictability

JEL Classification: G0, G1, E0, E4

Suggested Citation

Thornton, Daniel L. and Valente, Giorgio, Out-of-sample Predictions of Bond Excess Returns and Forward Rates: An Asset-Allocation Perspective (October 5, 2010). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1687953 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1687953

Daniel L. Thornton (Contact Author)

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis - Research Division ( email )

411 Locust St
Saint Louis, MO 63011
United States
314-444-8582 (Phone)
314-444-8731 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://research.stlouisfed.org/econ/thornton/

Giorgio Valente

Hong Kong Institute for Monetary and Financial Research (HKIMR) ( email )

One Pacific Place, 10th Floor
88 Queensway
Hong Kong
China

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