Curves and Term Structure Models: Definition, Calibration and Application of Rate Curves and Term Structure Models
22 Pages Posted: 1 Jan 2013 Last revised: 11 Apr 2013
Date Written: December 31, 2012
Abstract
In this note we discuss the definition, construction, interpolation and application of curves.
We will discuss discount curves, a tool for the valuation of deterministic cash-flows and forward curves, a tool for the valuation of linear cash-flows of (possibly) stochastic indices.
The aim of this note is to carefully derive the definition of discount and forward curves and work out their relation to market instruments: A curve is tool to value linear products, i.e., product which can be replicated by static hedges.
We will distinguish forward curves from discount curves. Since forward curves are associated with a discount curve (representing the collateralization of the forward), this motivates an alternative interpolation method, namely interpolation of the forward value (the product of the forward and the discount factor).
In addition, treating forward curves as native curves (instead of representing them by pseudo-discount curves) will avoid other problems, like that of overlapping instruments.
We discuss the calibration of the curves for which we give a generic object oriented implementation.
In the last section we will show how to define term-structure models (analog to a LIBOR market model) based on the definition of the performance index of an accrual account associated with a discount curve.
Source code is available at http://www.finmath.net/topics/curvecalibration/
Keywords: Curves, Discount Curve, Forward Curve, Calibration, Bootstrapping, Multi-Curve, Tenor-Basis, Cross-Currency-Basis, Collateralization, Funding, OIS Discounting, Funding Curve, Spread Curve
JEL Classification: G13
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation