Duration and Its Role in Bond Portfolio Management

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Lyrics

[Verse 1]
When bond prices swing like a pendulum's arc
Duration reveals what moves in the dark
It measures the years till cash flows return
But weighted by present value we earn
A modified twist shows price sensitivity
One percent yield change, what's the liability?

[Chorus]
Duration's the heartbeat of portfolio risk
Macaulay measures time, but modified's brisk
Higher duration means wilder the ride
When interest rates shift, there's nowhere to hide
D-U-R-A-T-I-O-N
Price sensitivity's best friend

[Verse 2]
A five-year duration on your corporate bond
Means five percent drop when rates move beyond
One percentage point in the upward direction
Duration predicts this price deflection
Managers ladder and barbell their trades
Immunizing portfolios as yield curve fades

[Chorus]
Duration's the heartbeat of portfolio risk
Macaulay measures time, but modified's brisk
Higher duration means wilder the ride
When interest rates shift, there's nowhere to hide
D-U-R-A-T-I-O-N
Price sensitivity's best friend

[Bridge]
Match your duration to liability streams
Convexity curves beyond linear dreams
When parallel shifts rock the yield terrain
Duration hedging keeps losses restrained

[Verse 3]
Portfolio duration's a weighted sum game
Each bond contributes to the risk frame
Rebalance the mix when targets drift wide
Keep duration aligned with your risk appetite guide

[Chorus]
Duration's the heartbeat of portfolio risk
Macaulay measures time, but modified's brisk
Higher duration means wilder the ride
When interest rates shift, there's nowhere to hide
D-U-R-A-T-I-O-N
Price sensitivity's best friend

[Outro]
From pension funds vast to retail accounts small
Duration management governs them all

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