Negative Convexity in Callable Bonds

Fixed Income: Bonds and Portfolio Management · 3:35

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Lyrics

[Verse 1]
There's a bond that pays you well each year
But the issuer holds a special right
When interest rates begin to fall down here
They can call it back and say goodnight
Normal bonds would rise when rates decline
But callable bonds have a different sign

[Chorus]
Negative convexity, price gets stuck up high
When rates fall down, can't fly around, your gains just say goodbye
Duration gets unstable, calculations fail
Negative convexity tells the tale

[Verse 2]
Picture this: the market rates drop low
Your bond looks sweet at eight percent
But the company says "we've got to go"
Refinance at four, your bond is bent
They'll pay you back at par today
While normal bonds would climb away

[Chorus]
Negative convexity, price gets stuck up high
When rates fall down, can't fly around, your gains just say goodbye
Duration gets unstable, calculations fail
Negative convexity tells the tale

[Bridge]
When rates rise up, you fall just fine
Like any bond would do
But when rates drop below the line
The ceiling captures you
The call option's in their hands
Your price appreciation hits quicksand

[Verse 3]
Duration measures price sensitivity
To changes in the interest rate
But when you're near that call activity
Duration numbers fluctuate
The math breaks down, the models bend
Convexity's your foe not friend

[Chorus]
Negative convexity, price gets stuck up high
When rates fall down, can't fly around, your gains just say goodbye
Duration gets unstable, calculations fail
Negative convexity tells the tale

[Outro]
So when you see that callable feature
Remember what it means to you
Limited upside is its nature
When rates fall through

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