Parallel Shift in the Yield Curve

Parallel shift in the yield curve

A shift in economic conditions in which the change in the interest rate on all maturities is the same number of basis points. In other words, if the three month T-bill increases 100 basis points (one %), then the 6-month, 1-year, 5-year, 10-year, 20-year, and 30-year rates all increase by 100 basis points as well. Related: Non-parallel shift in the yield curve.

---

Parallel Shift in the Yield Curve

A change in the yield curve for bonds with different maturities in which the changes in yields occur evenly. For example, given a yield curve for bonds with one-year, five-year, and 10-year maturities, a parallel shift in the yield curve occurs when the yields for all three bonds increase 10 basis points each. See also: Nonparallel Shift in the Yield Curve.