To match a prescribed initial instantaneous forward rate curve in the Gaussian short-rate model with a deterministic shift, chooseSince , its model forward rate is then . Moreover,so the initial zero-coupon bond curve matches as well. A continuous initial forward curve gives pointwise calibration; a locally integrable curve gives the corresponding almost-everywhere interpretation of the instantaneous forward rate.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2008 iii Paper 39 6 i Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-14
Let denote the given unique equivalent martingale measure. A zero-coupon bond paying one at has risk-neutral pricing valueWrite . Split the integrated short rate into its known and future parts:By integrating the future Brownian motion increments in the opposite order, the last integral equals . It is independent of and is a Gaussian random variable of mean zero and varianceThe Gaussian exponential moment formula for centered therefore gives the bond price in this Gaussian short-rate model with a deterministic shift:The instantaneous forward rate is the negative maturity derivative of the logarithm of the bond price. ConsequentlyIn particular, and , as required. The derivative formula is pointwise for continuous and almost everywhere for locally integrable .