a) Suppose that the real risk-free rate, r*, is 3% and that inflation is assumed to be 7% in Year 1, 5% in Year 2, and 4% after that. Suppose also that all Treasury securities are highly liquid and free of default risk. If 2-year and 5-year Treasury notes both yield 10%, what is the dissimilarity in the maturity risk premiums (MRPs) on the two notes; that is, what is MRP5 minus MRP2?
b) Because of a recession, the inflation rate likely for the coming year is only 4%. Though, the inflation rate in Year 2 and thereafter is likely to be constant at some level above 4%. Suppose that the real risk-free rate is r* = 2% for all maturities and that there are no maturity premiums. If 3-year Treasury notes yield 2 percentage points more than 1-year notes, what inflation rate is likely after Year 1?