This paper develops and estimates a general equilibrium model for the term structures of nominal and real interest rates that incorporates regime-switching into the dynamics of the state variables. The model generates time-varying risk premia via changes in the covariance structure of the state variables and Peso problems through regime-switching. When the model is estimated using real and nominal yields from the U.K., I find that Peso problems emanating from instability in inflation have a significant impact on the nominal term structure. Peso problems affect (i) the sample predictability of excess returns, (ii) nominal term premia, and (iii) the inflation risk premia linking real and nominal yields with expected inflation.

We examine various dynamic term structure models for monthly US Treasury yields from 1964 to 2001. Of particular interest is the predictability of bond excess returns. Recent evidence indicates that using multiple forward rates can sharply predict future excess returns on bonds; the R2 of this predictability regression can be as high as 30%. In addition, the projection coefficients in these predictability regressions exhibit a tent shaped pattern that relates to the maturity of the forward rate. This dimension of the data in conjunction with the transition dynamics of bond yields (i.e., conditional volatility and cross-correlation of bond yields) poses an serious challenge to term structure models. In this paper we present and estimate a regime-shifts term structure model - our findings show that this model can account for all aspects of the predictability regression and the transition dynamics of yields. Alternative models, such as, affine factor models cannot account for these features of the data. We find that the regimes in the model are related to the NBER business cycle indicator.

This article develops and empirically implements an arbitrage-free, dynamic term structure model with priced factor and regime-shift risks. The risk factors are assumed to follow a discrete-time Gaussian process, and regime shifts are governed by a discrete-time Markov process with state-dependent transition probabilities. This model gives closed-form solutions for zero-coupon bond prices, an analytic representation of the likelihood function for bond yields, and a natural decomposition of expected excess returns to components corresponding to regime-shift and factor risks. Using monthly data on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon bond yields, we show a critical role of priced, state-dependent regime-shift risks in capturing the time variations in expected excess returns, and document notable differences in the behaviors of the factor risk component of the expected returns across high and low volatility regimes. Additionally, the state dependence of the regime-switching probabilities is shown to capture an interesting asymmetry in the cyclical behavior of interest rates. The shapes of the term structure of volatility of bond yield changes are also very different across regimes, with the well-known hump being largely a low-volatility regime phenomenon.

This paper develops and estimates a continuous-time model of the term structure of interests under regime shifts. The model features an analytically simple representation of Markov regime shifts that helps elucidate the effect of regime shifts on the yield curve and give a clear interpretation of regime-switching risk premiums. The model falls within the broad class of essentially affine models with a closed form solution of the yield curve, yet it is flexible enough to accommodate priced regime-switching risk, time-varying transition probabilities, regime-dependent mean reversion coefficients as well as stochastic volatilities within each regime. A two-factor version of the model is implemented using Efficient Method of Moments. Empirical results show that the model can account for many salient features of the yield curve in the U.S.