Week 8 Flashcards
The payoffs each period on ILBs reflect
a real yield plus an additional payment to compensate for realized inflation either via the coupon, or adjusting the face value
If ILBs are held to maturity
the total return reflects the real yield on purchase plus an adjustment for inflation over the whole period
However, returns during any particular period (e.g. a month) reflect these payoffs, plus any capital gain/loss stemming from changes in the (real) yield on the security.
what will impact the short-term ILB return
returns during any particular period (e.g. a month) reflect these payoffs, plus any capital gain/loss stemming from changes in the (real) yield on the security
short-term ILB return
we refer to “short-term” return we assume the ILB is not held to maturity.
Instead, it is sold prior to maturity so the selling price, and therefore the return, will be impacted by changes in the real yield during the time in which the ILB is held
Break-even inflation
It is a measure of the rate of inflation that would result in conventional bonds and ILBs generating the same return if held to maturity.
What are the drivers of ILB returns?
Potential fundamental drivers of changes in ILB yields
- Increasing familiarity
– ILBs might have been mis-priced (yields were too high) when they first emerged during the 1980s, then declined as market became more familiar with the asset. (Note: This would be an example of an ‘exotic beta’.)
What are the drivers of ILB returns?
Potential fundamental drivers of changes in ILB yields
- Supply/demand factors, specifically hedging demand
Demand for ILBs for inflation hedging and LDI purposes seems to have increased over time, particularly in the UK and US towards the end of the period. This is another possible contributor to the decline in ILB yields over time.
What are the drivers of ILB returns?
Potential fundamental drivers of changes in ILB yields
- Changes in liquidity
– Like many assets, the required return and hence yields on ILBs may be influenced by liquidity considerations. One possible contributor to the decline of yields through time is that the asset class became more liquid as ILBs became more widely available and traded.
What are the drivers of ILB returns?
Potential fundamental drivers of changes in ILB yields
- Fluctuations in real interest rates
ILB yields reflect real interest rates (which generally declined over the time period of the data provided, resulting in capital gains).
Note that conventional 10-year bonds yields less CPI (another real interest rate proxy) has also trended down
What are the drivers of ILB returns?
Potential fundamental drivers of changes in ILB yields:
- Fluctuations in real interest rates
- Changes in liquidity
- Supply/demand factors, specifically hedging demand
- Increasing familiarity
What are the drivers of ILB returns?
returns are a function of
rates
Reinvestment rates: more minor relevance
What are the drivers of ILB returns?
returns are a function of
Payoffs’ during each period, comprising of ILB yield (real) plus inflation adjustment via the face value or coupon. Bulk of returns comprises these two components if held to maturity
What are the drivers of ILB returns?
returns are a function of
short term
Capital gains or losses due to fluctuations in ILB yields: a key driver in short term. ILBs tend to have low yields and long duration, and hence price can be relatively sensitive to yield changes
Influences on the ‘break-even inflation rate’ (difference between conventional and ILB yields)
- Supply/demand pressures
The weight of buyers versus sellers can influence relative yields in the shorter term. Again, hedging demand for ILBs may have played a role in recent periods.
Influences on the ‘break-even inflation rate’ (difference between conventional and ILB yields)
- Relative liquidity
to the extent that ILBs are less liquid, their yields might be buoyed relative to conventional government bonds (which are very liquid). This may impact the break-even inflation rate in a downward direction.