Math Problem Statement

A bond has a price of $110, a Macaulay Duration of 20.8 years, and a convexity of 160 years. If rates decrease from 8% to 7 ½% per annum compounded semiannually then use calculus to find the approximate new price of the bond. Your final answer should be correct to 3 places after the decimal point.

Solution

To calculate the approximate new price of the bond using duration and convexity, we can use the following formula:

ΔPDPΔy+12CP(Δy)2\Delta P \approx - D \cdot P \cdot \Delta y + \frac{1}{2} \cdot C \cdot P \cdot (\Delta y)^2

Where:

  • ΔP\Delta P is the change in bond price.
  • DD is the Macaulay Duration.
  • PP is the initial price of the bond.
  • CC is the convexity.
  • Δy\Delta y is the change in yield.

We are given the following information:

  • P=110P = 110
  • D=20.8D = 20.8 years
  • C=160C = 160 years
  • Initial yield y0=8%y_0 = 8\% (or 0.08 per annum)
  • New yield y1=7.5%y_1 = 7.5\% (or 0.075 per annum)
  • The yield change Δy=y1y0=0.0750.08=0.005\Delta y = y_1 - y_0 = 0.075 - 0.08 = -0.005 per annum.

Since the rates are compounded semiannually, the change in yield on a semiannual basis is: Δysemiannual=Δy2=0.0052=0.0025\Delta y_{\text{semiannual}} = \frac{\Delta y}{2} = \frac{-0.005}{2} = -0.0025

Now, substitute these values into the formula.

Step 1: Calculate the first-order effect (using Duration)

ΔP1DPΔysemiannual=20.8110(0.0025)\Delta P_1 \approx - D \cdot P \cdot \Delta y_{\text{semiannual}} = - 20.8 \cdot 110 \cdot (-0.0025) ΔP15.72\Delta P_1 \approx 5.72

Step 2: Calculate the second-order effect (using Convexity)

ΔP212CP(Δysemiannual)2=12160110(0.0025)2\Delta P_2 \approx \frac{1}{2} \cdot C \cdot P \cdot (\Delta y_{\text{semiannual}})^2 = \frac{1}{2} \cdot 160 \cdot 110 \cdot (-0.0025)^2 ΔP20.055\Delta P_2 \approx 0.055

Step 3: Calculate the total change in price

ΔPΔP1+ΔP2=5.72+0.055=5.775\Delta P \approx \Delta P_1 + \Delta P_2 = 5.72 + 0.055 = 5.775

Step 4: Calculate the new price

PnewP+ΔP=110+5.775=115.775P_{\text{new}} \approx P + \Delta P = 110 + 5.775 = 115.775

Thus, the approximate new price of the bond is $115.775 (to 3 decimal places).

Let me know if you would like more details or have questions!

5 Related Questions:

  1. How does Macaulay duration impact the sensitivity of bond prices to interest rate changes?
  2. What is the difference between modified duration and Macaulay duration?
  3. How does convexity influence bond price changes for large interest rate movements?
  4. What assumptions does the duration-convexity approximation make about interest rate changes?
  5. How can you hedge interest rate risk using duration and convexity?

Tip:

Always use convexity to refine bond price estimates when dealing with larger changes in interest rates, as duration alone becomes less accurate in such cases.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Bond Pricing
Duration and Convexity
Calculus
Interest Rates

Formulas

ΔP ≈ -D * P * Δy + (1/2) * C * P * (Δy)^2
ΔP_1 ≈ - D * P * Δy_semiannual
ΔP_2 ≈ (1/2) * C * P * (Δy_semiannual)^2

Theorems

Duration-Convexity Approximation

Suitable Grade Level

Undergraduate Finance/Math Courses