A general equilibrium (GE) model of the term structure applied to Australian securities

Abstract

The Double Square Root (DSR) GE model of the term structure is fitted to Australian security yield data over the period 2 January 1984 to 15 December 1995 - a data set of 3041 yields on four securities: 30 and 90-day BAB: and 5 and 10-year bonds. Applying both the OLS and GMM estimators we find a nonlinear, reduced form relationship between these yields and the risk free rate. So we conclude that GE models explain a diverse range of Australian yield curve shapes and that Australian bond prices are not necessarily inversely related to interest rates.