The Multifactor Nature of the Volatility of the Eurodollar Futures Market

Abstract

This paper seeks to estimate a multifactor volatility model so as to describe the dynamics of interest rate markets, using data from the highly liquid but short term futures markets. The difficult problem of estimating such multifactor models is resolved by using a genetic algorithm to carry out the optimization procedure. The ability to successfully estimate a multifactor volatility model also eliminates the need to include a jump component, the existence of which would create difficulties in the practical use of interest rate models, such as pricing options or producing forecasts.

Keywords: term structure, volatility, mutlifactor, jump, Eurodollar futures, genetic algorithm

JEL Classification: C51, C61, E43