Bond Convexity Explained

Fixed Income: Bonds and Portfolio Management · 4:19

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Lyrics

[Verse 1]
When bond prices move, they don't move straight
Duration tells us the approximate rate
But there's a curve that duration can't see
A bend in the line called convexity

Price goes up when yields fall down
But the relationship's not linear all around
There's a bow, a curve, a gentle bend
That makes price changes accelerate in the end

[Chorus]
Convex curve, convex curve
Price and yield don't move on a straight preserve
When yields drop low, prices jump up high
More than duration would imply
Convex curve, convex curve
Positive bend that investors observe
The longer the bond, the bigger the bow
Convexity's the extra boost we need to know

[Verse 2]
Duration gives us the first degree
But convexity adds what we really need to see
It's the second-order effect that matters most
When interest rates change, it gives us a boost

Imagine a smile drawn on a chart
Yield on the x, price on the y-part
The curve bends up, that's positive sign
More gain when rates fall, protection when they climb

[Chorus]
Convex curve, convex curve
Price and yield don't move on a straight preserve
When yields drop low, prices jump up high
More than duration would imply
Convex curve, convex curve
Positive bend that investors observe
The longer the bond, the bigger the bow
Convexity's the extra boost we need to know

[Bridge]
Duration estimates but can't be precise
Convexity adds the mathematical spice
For larger yield changes, duration falls short
Convexity gives us the full report

The curve gets steeper as maturity grows
The bow gets bigger, that's how it goes
Price sensitivity with an upward bend
Convexity's the bond investor's friend

[Chorus]
Convex curve, convex curve
Price and yield don't move on a straight preserve
When yields drop low, prices jump up high
More than duration would imply
Convex curve, convex curve
Positive bend that investors observe
The longer the bond, the bigger the bow
Convexity's the extra boost we need to know

[Outro]
Remember the curve, remember the bow
Convexity's the secret that pros all know
Duration plus convex gives the full view
Bond price changes, now you know what to do

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