Dynamics of Bond and Stock Returns

Abstract

I present a production-based general equilibrium model that jointly prices bond and stock returns. The model produces time-varying correlation between stock and long-term default-free real bond returns that changes in both magnitude and sign. The real term premium is also time-varying and changes sign. To generate these results, the model incorporates time-varying risk aversion within Epstein-Zin preferences and two physical technologies with different exposure to cash-flow risk. Bonds hedge risk-aversion (discount-rate) shocks and command negative term premium through this channel. Capital (cash-flow) shocks produce comovement of bond and stock returns and positive term premium. The relative strength of these two mechanisms varies over time.