Computation of portfolio VAR
The provided yields data file (yields.xls) contains 5-year yields from 1953 to 1994. Using this information and the duration approximation, compute the portfolio VAR as of December 1994. Risk should be measured over a month at the 95% level. Report the distribution and compute the VAR:
· using a normal distribution for yield changes (Delta-Normal method) and a 12-month moving average model for the volatility of yield changes
· using the actual distribution for yield changes (Historical-Simulation method using all the available past data)
· Compare and discuss the differences between the VAR obtained using the two methods
Hint: Consider yield changes as if they were log-returns
