Yield Curve Analysis: estimation techniques reviewed. ZCalc - a zero coupon yield curve estimation tool. Data Mining, Data Warehousing, OLAP, Exploratory Data Analysis, Monte-Carlo Simulation. Excel programming in VBA. Tips & tricks 4 Webmasters: web design, web marketing.

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Last updated:
April 21, 2000

Design & Content:
Csaba Horvath

Yield curve analysis | Visual approach of the Yield Curve

ZCalc - a zero coupon yield curve calculator

What is ZCalc?
What does it do?
Optimization (estimation) methods built in
Screenshots
Input data

The speed of estimation
Platforms
Compatibility with the market characteristics
Sample output

Availability
Contact us

 

What is ZCalc?

ZCalc is an Excel Add-in*, calculates zero coupon yield curve from government bond price data.

* Add-in is a program that extends the functionalities of Excel.

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What does it do?

The zero coupon yield curve can be used for
  • Extracting market expectations from capital market data
  • Pricing bonds and cash-flows in general
  • Risk management (for example: VAR, RiskMetrics, FourFifteen [for details, visit www.jpmorgan.com])
If you are not convinced at this point, follow this link.

The calculation of that is not straightforward, a relatively complicated task must be done.

ZCalc does it for you!
 
Having up-to-date zero coupon yield curve data is useful when there is a group of people is interested in the on-line, most updated data of a zero coupon yield curve. This happens in treasuries, dealing rooms, etc.

A researcher in most cases is interested in historical results, but the professional version CAN do historical calculations as well. That is, the engine runs through historical data: constructs the relevant (historical) cash flow matrix, reproduces the prices from older files, and stores the results in a database. Only one prerequisite of that: the database of bonds must contain data (cash-flow, date of issue/final redemption) about bonds that existed in the past, in the relevant period.
Naturally, one has to have historical data (bond prices) in a systematic, database-like way to explore this feature.
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Optimization (estimation) methods built in

Built-in cutting-the-edge yield curve modelling techniques!

There are 4 estimation methods built in (also follow this link):

  1. Svensson (extended Nelson-Siegel), fitted via discount function, errors minimized in prices.
  2. Nelson-Siegel method
  3. spline fit (c-spline, B-spline, exponential spline)
  4. polinomial fit
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Screenshots

Runs under Excel [screenshot]

Menu and dialog-box driven, no programming needed [screenshot]

Generates the following reports

  • Discount Factor Curve
  • Zero Coupon Yield Curve
  • Implied Forward Rates
  • Pricing Errors of Individual Bonds
Riport formats: Microsoft Word, Excel.

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Input data

from any source that can send or save data to a spreadsheet, or supports DDE, e.g. REUTERS, BLOOMBERG.
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The speed of estimation

The optimization (calculation) and preparing the reports take only about 20-120 seconds, depending on the raw computing power of the computer. Here are some benchmark tests:
 
Configuration Average computation spell
Pentium 120, 16MB RAM, Win95, Office 95 100 seconds
Pentium II 350, 64MB RAM, NT4, Office 97 15 seconds

Results can be spread or printed on a local network automatically within a few seconds.
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Platforms

The program was written in Visual Basic for Applications, completely works its way into Microsoft Office objects, mainly into Microsoft Excel.
Operation Systems Supported Win 3.x/Win95/NT 3.51/NT4.0
Tested under Excel 5 (Office 4.2), Excel 7 (Office95 )
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Compatibility with the market characteristics

The program in itself is a self-contained to a certain extent, the database of instruments can be modified/filled up by the user, simply modifying a worksheet (see how).
This version is fine-tuned for the Hungarian capital market, for example the notations, codes for bonds/bills are built-in. Of course, it is possible to modify them in order to get it in accordance with any type of market standards.
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Sample output

Not yet available. An actual sample output is expected to be shown soon.
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Availability

The freeware version was first released on June 15, 1998 and is no longer supported.
A continuous improvement of the software is in progress. We are enhancing the methods applied, and making the user interface even more handy. This will allow you to integrate sophisticated estimation techniques with your everyday business activity and research work.

A new enterprise edition is to be released.

  • All the functionalities are integrated into your spreadsheet (Excel tables).
  • Supports groupware technologies: share the results automatically on intranet and internet environment.
Keep an eye on the release!
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Contact us

If any aspects still unclear and/or you are interested, do not hesitate to contact me. The easiest way is to use this form.
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Yield curve analysis | Visual approach of the Yield Curve

 


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