A decomposition of the predictive content of the term structure for output growth in Canada

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify the underlying economic disturbances that drive the predictive content of the term structure for future output growth and those that may distort its information content. The study uses a structural vector autoregressive (VAR) model of a small and open economy for Canada that takes into account its relationship with financial markets in the USA and that Canada is a relatively large exporter of commodities. The model is used to decompose the sources of the variation of the slope of the yield curve and the correlation between the term spread and output growth. Monetary policy disturbances in both Canada and the USA, as well as short-term interest rates, are found to trigger excessive volatility in short-term rates and the term spread that do not contribute to the predictive content of the term spread for future output growth at horizons relevant for monetary policy analysis. However, innovations in output growth, inflation and other macroeconomic variables do not distort the forecast power of the term spread. Unlike the evidence for the USA, disturbances in nominal long-term yields are found to contribute about the same amount to the predictive content of the term spread as unexpected movements in monetary policy.