This paper examines the cross-dynamics of volatility term structures implied by foreign exchange options. The data used … in the empirical analysis consist of daily observations of implied volatilities for OTC options on the euro, Japanese yen … common factors can explain a vast proportion of the variation in volatility term structures across currencies. Furthermore …

I show that volatility risk of the dollar factor --- an equally weighted basket of developed U.S. dollar exchange rates … --- carries a significant risk premium and that it is priced in the cross-section of currency volatility excess returns. The … dollar factor volatility risk premium is negative on average with an upward sloping and concave term structure. Consistent …

We identify a global risk factor in the cross-section of implied volatility returns in currency markets. A zero …-cost strategy that buys forward volatility agreements with downward sloping implied volatility curves and sells those with upward … slopes - volatility carry strategy - generates significant excess returns. The covariation with volatility carry returns …

predictive capability of currency volatility risk premia for currency returns. The volatility risk premium -- the difference … between expected realized volatility and model-free implied volatility -- reflects the costs of insuring against currency … volatility fluctuations, and the strategy sells high-insurance-cost currencies and buys low-insurance-cost currencies. The …