Math Problem Statement

The duration of a ten-year, 8 percent coupon bond when the interest rate is 10 percent is 7.76 years. What happens to the price of the bond if the interest rate increases to 12 percent?

Solution

To determine the price change of the bond when the interest rate increases to 12%, we can use the following bond pricing formula:

P=t=1nC(1+r)t+F(1+r)nP = \sum_{t=1}^{n} \frac{C}{(1+r)^t} + \frac{F}{(1+r)^n}

Where:

  • PP = price of the bond
  • CC = annual coupon payment = 0.08×F0.08 \times F
  • FF = face value of the bond (usually 100 or 1000)
  • rr = market interest rate (expressed as a decimal)
  • nn = number of years to maturity

Given:

  • Coupon rate = 8% (so coupon payment C=0.08×FC = 0.08 \times F)
  • Initial interest rate = 10%
  • Duration of bond at 10% = 7.76 years
  • New interest rate = 12%
  • Maturity = 10 years

Step 1: Calculate price at 10% interest rate (Initial Price)

We can approximate the price using the bond duration formula:

ΔPP=D×Δr1+r\frac{\Delta P}{P} = -D \times \frac{\Delta r}{1 + r}

Where:

  • ΔP\Delta P = percentage change in bond price
  • DD = bond duration = 7.76 years
  • Δr\Delta r = change in interest rate (from 10% to 12%, so Δr=0.02\Delta r = 0.02)
  • rr = initial interest rate (10% = 0.10)

Now, calculate the percentage change in price:

ΔPP=7.76×0.021+0.10=7.76×0.01818=0.141\frac{\Delta P}{P} = -7.76 \times \frac{0.02}{1 + 0.10} = -7.76 \times 0.01818 = -0.141

This indicates a 14.1% price decrease when the interest rate rises from 10% to 12%.

Step 2: Conclusion

The price of the bond will decrease by approximately 14.1% when the interest rate increases to 12%. If the initial price at 10% interest rate is P0P_0, then the new price P1P_1 can be approximated as:

P1=P0×(10.141)P_1 = P_0 \times (1 - 0.141)

If you know the actual price of the bond at a 10% interest rate, you can multiply it by this factor to get the new price at a 12% interest rate.


Would you like a deeper dive into any of these steps or additional clarifications?

Here are 5 follow-up questions that expand this topic:

  1. How is bond duration used to measure interest rate risk?
  2. What is the relationship between bond prices and interest rates?
  3. How does coupon rate affect the duration of a bond?
  4. What factors influence a bond's sensitivity to interest rate changes?
  5. Can the bond price increase if the interest rate falls below the coupon rate?

Tip: Bond prices and interest rates move inversely—when interest rates rise, bond prices fall, and vice versa.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Bond Pricing
Interest Rate Risk
Bond Duration
Inverse Relationship Between Bond Prices and Interest Rates

Formulas

Bond Price Formula: P = ∑(C / (1+r)^t) + (F / (1+r)^n)
Percentage Change in Price Formula: ΔP/P = -D * Δr / (1 + r)

Theorems

Inverse Relationship between Bond Prices and Interest Rates
Duration Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

University Level (Finance, Economics)