Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/32800 
Year of Publication: 
2010
Series/Report no.: 
Discussion Paper Series 1 No. 2010,11
Publisher: 
Deutsche Bundesbank, Frankfurt a. M.
Abstract: 
This paper presents a new approach for analysing the recent development of EMU sovereign bond spreads. Based on a GARCH-in-mean model originally used in the exchange rate target zone literature, spreads are decomposed into a risk premium, an expected loss component and a liquidity premium. Time-varying default probabilities are derived. The results suggest that the rise in sovereign spreads during the recent financial crisis mainly reflects an increased expected loss component. In addition, the rescue of Bear Stearns in March 2008 seems to mark a change in market perceptions of sovereign bond risk. The government bonds of some countries lost their former role as a safe haven. While price competitiveness always helps to explain sovereign spreads, it increasingly moved into investors' focus as financial sector soundness weakened.
Subjects: 
Sovereign bond spread
GARCH-in-mean
default probability
JEL: 
E43
G15
C32
H63
F36
ISBN: 
978-3-86558-623-0
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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