Zero Coupon Yield Curve Construction Methods in the European Markets

Sammanfattning: In this study, four frequently used yield curve construction methods are evaulated on a set of metrics with the aim of determining which method is the most suitable for estimating yield curves from European zero rates. The included curve construction methods are Nelson-Siegel, Nelson-Siegel-Svensson, cubic spline interpolation and forward monotone convex spline interpolation. We let the methods construct yield curves on multiple sets of zero yields with different origins. It is found that while the interpolation methods show greater ability to adapt to variable market conditions as well as hedge arbitrary fixed income claims, they are outperformed by the parametric methods regarding the smoothness of the resulting yield curve as well as their sensitivity to noise and perturbations in the input rates. This apart from the Nelson-Siegel method's problem of capturing the behavior of underlying rates with a high curvature. The Nelson-Siegel-Svensson method did also exhibit instability issues when exposed to perturbations in the input rates. The Nelson-Siegel method and the forward monotone convex spline interpolation method emerge as most favorable in their respective categories. The ultimate selection between the two methods must however take the application at hand into consideration due to their fundamentally different characteristics.