Suppose the current yields to maturity on 3 month and 6 month T-Bills are 4.0 percent and 5.0 percent, respectively (yields will need to be converted to 90-day returns).

(a) In perfectly efficient markets and risk-neutral pricing, what yield should you expect to find on a 3 month T-bill forward contract deliverable in 3 months?

(b) Show that for the forward yield calculated in (a) the 6 month returns on (i) a 6 month spot bill and (ii) 3 month spot and 3 month futures bills are the same.

(c) Explain what factors would lead to a rejection of (b).

NOTE: From the term structure of interest rates recall:

(1 + oy2)2 = (1 + oy1)(1 + 1F1)

Where oy2 = the cash 6 month bill (two period) yield,

oy1 = the cash 3 month bill (one period) yield,

1F1 = the 3 month (one period) forward yield one period from now.

ALSO, in the futures market:

(1 + oy2)2 = (1 + oy1)(1 + 1y1f),

Where 1y1f = the 3 month futures yield on futures contracts due in three months.

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

a 10052 10041 future contract in 3months 1052 1041 future contra... View the full answer