Repo convexity

Abstract

There is an observed basis between repo discounting, implied from market repo rates, and bond discounting, stripped from the market prices of the underlying bonds. Here, this basis is explained as a convexity effect arising from the decorrelation between the discount rates for derivatives and bonds. Using a Hull-White model for the discount basis, expressions are derived that can be used to interpolate the repo rates of bonds with different maturities and to extrapolate the repo curve for discounting bond-collateralised derivatives.