Working Paper: NBER ID: w13806
Authors: Robin Greenwood; Dimitri Vayanos
Abstract: We examine empirically how the maturity structure of government debt affects bond yields and excess returns. Our analysis is based on a theoretical model of preferred habitat in which clienteles with strong preferences for specific maturities trade with arbitrageurs. Consistent with the model, we find that (i) the supply of long- relative to short-term bonds is positively related to the term spread, (ii) supply predicts positively long-term bonds' excess returns even after controlling for the term spread and the Cochrane-Piazzesi factor, (iii) the effects of supply are stronger for longer maturities, and (iv) following periods when arbitrageurs have lost money, both supply and the term spread are stronger predictors of excess returns.
Keywords: bond supply; excess returns; government debt; maturity structure
JEL Codes: G12; H63
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| arbitrageurs losing money (G19) | strength of supply and term spread as predictors of excess returns (E43) |
| relative supply of long-term bonds (E43) | term spread (C41) |
| relative supply of long-term bonds (E43) | excess returns (D46) |
| maturity structure (G32) | yields and excess returns (G12) |