Linearized Nelson-Siegel and Svensson Models for the Estimation of Spot Interest Rates

Abstract

Linearized versions of the Nelson-Siegel and Svensson models for estimating spot yield curves from samples of coupon bonds are developed and analyzed. It is shown how these models can be made linear in the level, slope and curvature parameters and how prior information about these parameters can be incorporated in the estimation procedure. The performance of the linearized models are assessed in a Monte Carlo setting and with a sample of U.S. government bonds. The results reveal that the linearized models compare favorably to the original models in terms of precision, computing effort and prevalence of local optima.