Module: | MODULE B: RISK MANAGEMENT
Q355: A zero-coupon corporate bond has exactly 4 years remaining to maturity. Its current yield to maturity (YTM) is 8% per annum.
Calculate the Modified Duration of this bond.
✅ Correct Answer: B
The correct answer is B (3.70 years). This is a classic two-step duration problem.
Step 1: Identify the Macaulay Duration.
For any zero-coupon bond, the Macaulay Duration is mathematically exactly equal to its time to maturity.
Therefore, the Macaulay Duration is 4.00 years.
Step 2: Calculate the Modified Duration.
The formula is: Modified Duration = Macaulay Duration / (1 + YTM). Given the YTM is 8% (or 0.08), the calculation is: 4.00 / (1 + 0.08) = 4.00 / 1.08 = 3.7037 years (rounded to 3.70 years). Option A (4.00 years) is a trap; it represents the Macaulay Duration, not the Modified Duration.
Modified Duration is the true measure of price sensitivity to yield changes.
Step 1: Identify the Macaulay Duration.
For any zero-coupon bond, the Macaulay Duration is mathematically exactly equal to its time to maturity.
Therefore, the Macaulay Duration is 4.00 years.
Step 2: Calculate the Modified Duration.
The formula is: Modified Duration = Macaulay Duration / (1 + YTM). Given the YTM is 8% (or 0.08), the calculation is: 4.00 / (1 + 0.08) = 4.00 / 1.08 = 3.7037 years (rounded to 3.70 years). Option A (4.00 years) is a trap; it represents the Macaulay Duration, not the Modified Duration.
Modified Duration is the true measure of price sensitivity to yield changes.