Macaulay Duration Basics

Fixed Income Analytics · 2:59

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Lyrics

[Verse 1]
When you buy a bond today, cash flows come your way
Coupons every period, principal at end of day
But when do you really get your money's worth back?
Macaulay shows the timing, keeps your knowledge on track

[Chorus]
Weighted average time, that's what we're looking for
Each cash flow has a weight, by present value's score
Macaulay Duration, measures timing right
Weighted average time, brings the concept to light

[Verse 2]
Take each coupon payment, discount to present day
Multiply by time periods, that's the weighting way
Add them all together, divide by bond's price
Weighted average timing, calculated precise

[Chorus]
Weighted average time, that's what we're looking for
Each cash flow has a weight, by present value's score
Macaulay Duration, measures timing right
Weighted average time, brings the concept to light

[Bridge]
Longer maturity means duration goes higher
Lower coupon rates make the number climb higher
Higher yields will pull the duration down
It's the balance point where cash flows can be found

[Verse 3]
Think of it like balance, on a see-saw beam
Each cash flow is a weight, at its time point it seems
Where's the fulcrum point, where it balances out?
That's Macaulay Duration, what it's all about

[Chorus]
Weighted average time, that's what we're looking for
Each cash flow has a weight, by present value's score
Macaulay Duration, measures timing right
Weighted average time, brings the concept to light

[Outro]
When rates change your bond price, duration shows the way
Weighted average timing, helps you plan your day
Macaulay Duration, now you understand
Weighted average time, in the palm of your hand

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