In: Finance
CFA Question- Rank the following bonds in order of descending duration
Bond A: coupon 15%, Time to Maturity is 20 years, Yield to Maturity is 10%
Bond B: coupon 15%, Time to Maturity is 15 years, Yield to Maturity is 10%
Bond C: coupon 0%, Time to Maturity is 20 years, Yield to Maturity is 10%
Bond D: coupon 8%, Time to Maturity is 20 years, Yield to Maturity is 10%
Bond E: coupon 15%, Time to Maturity is 15 years, Yield to Maturity is 15%
The zero coupon bond has the highest duration (equal to its maturity) and for all coupon bonds, Duration is less than maturity
Hence Bond C has the highest Duration
Now, Duration of a bond generally increases with the maturity period, other things held constant,
Duration of a bond decreases when the coupon rate increases,other things held constant,
Duration of a bond decreases when the YTM increases,other things held constant,
With these relationships, we can conclude
Duration of Bond A> Duration of Bond B (as maturity period of Bond A is higher)
Duration of Bond D> Duration of Bond A (as coupon rate of Bond A is higher, so duration is less)
Duration of Bond B> Duration of Bond E (as YTM of Bond E is higher, so duration is less)
Hence, Durations of the bonds follow the relationship
Duration of C>Duration of D> Duration of A>Duration of B> Duration of E