Abstract:
In this paper, we examine the effects of expected and surprise components in Federal funds target rate changes on realized and implied volatility. We find that surprise changes in the target rate significantly increase volatility. Consistent with the efficient market hypothesis, our analysis suggests that the expected component of a target rate change as well as the target rate change itself, do not significantly affect volatility. We also show that larger than expected decreases in the Federal funds target rate tend to lower the volatility risk premium. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.