Hedging performance of interest-rate models

This dissertation is a hedging back-study which assesses the effectiveness of interest- rate modelling and the hedging of interest-rate derivatives. Caps that trade in the Johannesburg swap market are hedged using two short-rate models, namely the Hull and White (1990) one-factor model and the subsequent Hull and White (1994) two-factor extension. This is achieved by using the equivalent Gaussian additive-factor models (G1++ and G2++) outlined by Brigo and Mercurio (2007). The hedges are constructed using different combinations of theoretical zero-coupon bonds. A flexible factor hedging method is proposed by the author and the bucket hedging technique detailed by Driessen, Klaasen and Melenberg (2003) is tested. The results obtained support the claims made by Gupta and Subrahmanyam (2005), Fan, Gupta and Ritchken (2007) and others in the literature that multi-factor models outperform one-factor models in hedging interest-rate derivatives. It is also shown that the choice of hedge instruments can significantly influence hedge performance. Notably, a larger set of hedge instruments and the use of hedge instruments with the same maturity as the derivative improve hedging accuracy. However, no evidence to support the finding of Driessen et al. (2003) that a larger set of hedge instruments can remove the need for a multi-factor model is found