Chapter 11 – Managing Bond Portfolios
the size and timing of coupon payments and the level of interest rates (yield to
maturity). Modified duration, unlike maturity, tells us the approximate
proportional change in the bond price for a given change in yield to maturity.
c. i. Modified duration increases as the coupon decreases.
CFA 3
Answer:
a. Scenario (i): Strong economic recovery with rising inflation expectations.
Interest rates and bond yields will most likely rise, and the prices of both bonds
will fall. The probability that the callable bond will be called declines, so that it
Scenario (ii): Economic recession with reduced inflation expectations. Interest
rates and bond yields will most likely fall. The callable bond is likely to be called.
b. If yield to maturity (YTM) on Bond B falls by 75 basis points:
Projected % change in price = – (Modified duration) (Change in YTM)
c. For Bond A (the callable bond), bond life and therefore bond cash flows are
uncertain. If one ignores the call feature and analyzes the bond on a “to maturity”
basis, all calculations for yield and duration are distorted. Durations are too long
CFA 4
Answer:
11-4
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