The EMBI in Latin America: Fractional integration, non-linearities and breaks

This paper analyses the main statistical properties of the Emerging Market Bond Index (EMBI), namely long-range dependence or persistence, non-linearities, and structural breaks, in four Latin American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela). For this purpose it uses a fractional integration framework and both parametric and semiparametric methods. The evidence based on the former is sensitive to the specification for the error terms, whilst the results from the latter are more conclusive in ruling out mean reversion. Further, non-linearities do not appear to be present. Both recursive and rolling window methods identify a number of breaks. Overall, the evidence of long-range dependence as well as breaks suggests that active policies might be necessary for achieving financial and economic stability in these countrie

The EMBI in Latin America: Fractional integration, non-linearities and breaks

This paper analyses the main statistical properties of the Emerging Market Bond Index (EMBI), namely long-range dependence or persistence, non-linearities, and structural breaks, in four Latin American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela). For this purpose it uses a fractional integration framework and both parametric and semiparametric methods. The evidence based on the former is sensitive to the specification for the error terms, whilst the results from the latter are more conclusive in ruling out mean reversion. Further, non-linearities do not appear to be present. Both recursive and rolling window methods identify a number of breaks. Overall, the evidence of long-range dependence as well as breaks suggests that active policies might be necessary for achieving financial and economic stability in these countrie

Term premium in a fractionally cointegrated yield curve

The co-movement of US sovereign rates suggests a long-run equilibrium relationship. Traditional cointegrated systems need to assume that interest rates are unit roots and thus implying non-stationary and non-mean-reverting dynamics. We postulate and estimate a fractional cointegrated model (FCVAR) which allows for mean reverting though highly persistent patterns. Our results point to the existence of such mean-reverting fractional cointegration among sovereign rates. In terms of out-of-sample forecasting, the FCVAR soundly beats the I(0) VAR model across interest rate maturities and horizons and the I(1) cointegrated VAR across maturities and short-horizons. The implied US term premium --across different maturities-- proves to be quite robust across subsamples and is less volatile than the classical I(0) stationary and I(1) unit root models. Our analysis highlights the role of real factors in shaping term premium dynamics and is extended to the UK and Germany yield curves

Term premium in a fractionally cointegrated yield curve

The co-movement of US sovereign rates suggests a long-run equilibrium relationship. Traditional cointegrated systems need to assume that interest rates are unit roots and thus implying non-stationary and non-mean-reverting dynamics. We postulate and estimate a fractional cointegrated model (FCVAR) which allows for mean reverting though highly persistent patterns. Our results point to the existence of such mean-reverting fractional cointegration among sovereign rates. In terms of out-of-sample forecasting, the FCVAR soundly beats the I(0) VAR model across interest rate maturities and horizons and the I(1) cointegrated VAR across maturities and short-horizons. The implied US term premium --across different maturities-- proves to be quite robust across subsamples and is less volatile than the classical I(0) stationary and I(1) unit root models. Our analysis highlights the role of real factors in shaping term premium dynamics and is extended to the UK and Germany yield curves