BOND PORTFOLIO IMMUNIZATION: TESTS OF MATURITY, ONE- AND TWO-FACTOR DURATION MATCHING STRATEGIES

This paper provides additional evidence on the usefulness of duration as a strategy tool by developing a two-factor duration model and by using a reasonably reliable database to compare empirically the relative performance of maturity, one-factor duration, and two-factor duration matching strategies in immunizing portfolios of default-free and option-free bonds against interest rate risk. The results suggest that, on average, duration models, even for arbitrarily assumed simple stochastic processes, are more accurate than maturity models and that increased accuracy may be achieved by increasing the length of the planning period and the number of factors in the model.     

TESTS OF THE BLACK-SCHOLES AND CONSTANT ELASTICITY OF VARIANCE CURRENCY CALL OPTION VALUATION MODELS

An adaptation of the Cox-Ross/Emanuel-MacBeth call option valuation model for constant elasticity of variance diffusion processes is tested here against an adaptation of the Black-Scholes call option valuation model for the pricing of call currency options. Synchronized transactions data supplied by the Philadelphia Exchange are used. A maximum likelihood estimation procedure indicates a significant association between currency return variances and exchange rate levels. The constant elasticity of variance model exhibits significantly superior pricing accuracy for predictive intervals of three or fewer trading days.     

EXECUTIVE PAY AND THE DISCLOSURE ENVIRONMENT: CANADIAN EVIDENCE

We examine the economic consequences of the Ontario Securities Commission's requirement that firms disclose details of executive pay in proxy statements. Before 1993, Canadian firms only reported executive compensation in the aggregate. We predict the increased availability of compensation information will force boards of directors to compete in the managerial labor market by offering higher pay. We also predict public pressure on boards of directors to justify the level of executive pay will result in increased weight on incentive pay. The data support these hypotheses. We also document that pay‐performance sensitivity has increased. JEL classification: G30     

A SIMPLE FORMULA FOR DURATION

This paper presents a simplification of Macaulay's formula for duration. The derivation treats any bond as a portfolio of a coupon bearing bond at par and a zero-coupon bond. The resultant equations are simple to use and show how coupon payments, premiums, and discounts affect duration. The equations are easily modified without loss of simplicity for various coupon payment intervals and for calculations between payment periods.     

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DURATION AND ECONOMIC DEPRECIATION: A NOTE

This note derives an expression for duration in terms of the economic depreciation of a capital budgeting project or financial instrument. By showing how the decline in the value of an asset or liability influences duration, additional insight into the characteristics of this measure is obtained. The new formula shows that duration equals a standard value, which is adjusted for depreciation or appreciation.     

DURATION MOMENTS AND YIELD CURVE MOVEMENTS

In this paper we will analyze the relationship between the value and duration moments of a cash flow and movements in the yield curve. We will show that for changes in the yield curve which can be related to tⁿ , the 1st order changes in the net present value of a cash flow are linearly dependent on the n + lth duration moments, and that the 2nd order changes are dependent on the sum of duration moments of order 2 n + 1 and 2 n + 2. We will use this relationship to tilt tracking portfolios so as to protect them against specific changes in the yield curve.     

EXPONENTIAL DURATION: A MORE ACCURATE ESTIMATION OF INTEREST RATE RISK

We develop a new method to estimate the interest rate risk of an asset. This method is based on modified duration and is always more accurate than traditional estimation with modified duration. The estimates by this method are close to estimates using traditional duration plus convexity when interest rates decrease. If interest rates rise, investors will suffer larger value declines than predicted by traditional duration plus convexity estimate. The new method avoids this undesirable value overestimation and provides an estimate slightly below the true value. For risk‐averse investors, overestimation of value declines is more desirable and conservative.