An Econometric Model of the Term Structure of Interest-Rate Swap Yields

This paper develops a multi-factor econometric model of the term structure of interest-rate swap yields. The model accommodates the possibility of counterparty default and any differences in the liquidities of the Treasury and Swap markets. By parameterizing a model of swap rates directly, we are able to compute model-based estimates of the defaultable zero coupon bond rates implicit in the swap market without having to specify a priori the dependence of these rates on default hazard or recovery rates. The time series analysis of spreads between zero-coupon swap and treasury yields reveals that both credit and liquidity factors were important sources of variation in swap spreads over the past decade.