The SOFR and the Fed's Influence Over Market Interest Rates

Abstract

The secured overnight financing rate (SOFR) is the successor to LIBOR (London interbank offered rate) as a benchmark rate for lending in US dollars. Our results show that the SOFR aligns with the Federal Reserve's policy target more closely than LIBOR. In addition, short-term market rates are more responsive to the SOFR than to LIBOR. Our findings highlight the advantages of the new benchmark rate over its predecessor.