An Empirical Analysis of Interest Rate Swap
Spreads
Keith C. Brown
W. V. Harlow
Donald J. Smith
Journal of Fixed Income 3, 1994, pp. 61-78
We test several hypotheses about historical
movements in interest rate swap spreads, defined as the difference between the
fixed rate on a swap and the Treasury yield of corresponding maturity. Using a sample of weekly observations from
1985 to 1991 we show that these spreads have been significantly related to the
difference in levels of the Treasury yield curves for coupon-bearing and
zero-coupon securities, forecasts of the spread between three-month LIBOR and
Treasury bill yields, the overnight rate on repurchase agreements, and the
default risk premium on corporate bonds.
We show that short-term and long-term swaps are priced differently, and
that these pricing relationships have changed considerably over time. On balance, these findings support the
premise of an efficient swaps market.
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