A New Approach to Estimating Portfolio-Balance Models of the Yield Curve

We show that the parameters of a broad class of portfolio-balance models can be recovered from estimates of Gaussian dynamic term structure models (GDTSMs) using a two-step estimator that bypasses the fixed-point problem that characterizes portfolio balance models. Specifically, we develop a novel canonical representation of bond supply in terms of factor-mimicking portfolios, whose returns replicate the structural shocks to the pricing factors. We identify these structural shocks by assuming that each shock corresponds to a distinct, mutually exclusive dimension of bond-supply variation. Using U.S. Treasury yields and macroeconomic data, we show the recovered shocks admit interpretations as hedging-risk-premium, risk-bearing-capacity, and monetary policy shocks.