Question #51
Reading: Reading 25 The Term Structure and Interest Rate Dynamics
PDF File: Reading 25 The Term Structure and Interest Rate Dynamics.pdf
Page: 21
Status: Unattempted
Correct Answer: B
Part of Context Group: Q50-51
Shared Context
Question
The most appropriate measure for Alex Allan to assess bond price sensitivity is:
Answer Choices:
A. key rate duration
B. effective duration
C. Macaulay duration
Explanation
Assuming an upward-sloping yield curve as a starting point, if short-term yields increase,
but long-term yields remain constant, the yield curve will flatten. This is a non-parallel shift
in the yield curve, which makes effective duration an inappropriate measure of bond price
sensitivity. Key rate duration is the preferred measure for non-parallel shifts in the yield
curve.
Effective duration is only suitable for measuring the sensitivity of a bond's price to parallel
shifts in the yield curve. Macaulay duration measures the weighted average length of time
to receive the present value of a bond's cash flows and is inappropriate in this instance.