Sovereign default and the choice of maturity Articles uri icon

publication date

  • May 2018

start page

  • 72

end page

  • 85

volume

  • 95

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0304-3932

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1873-1295

abstract

  • This study develops a novel model of endogenous sovereign debt maturity that rationalizes various stylized facts about debt maturity and the yield spread curve: first, sovereign debt duration and maturity generally exceed one year, and co-move positively with the business cycle. Second, sovereign yield spread curves are usually non-linear and upward-sloped, and may become non-monotonic and inverted during a period of high credit market stress, such as a default episode. Finally, output volatility, impatience, risk aversion, and especially sudden stops, are key determinants of maturity, both in our model and in the data.

keywords

  • crises; default; yield curve; spreads; bond duration; finance; sovereign maturity choice