M12 – Yield-Based Bond Convexity & Portfolio Properties: CFAI Practice Problems


Question 1

A bond has a modified duration of 10.2 and a convexity of 120. If yields increase by 100 bps, the estimated percentage price change including the convexity adjustment is closest to:

  • A. −9.60%
  • B. −10.20%
  • C. −10.80%

Question 2

For a standard option-free bond, positive convexity implies that:

  • A. The bond’s price increases more when yields fall than it decreases when yields rise by the same amount.
  • B. The bond’s price changes symmetrically for equal increases and decreases in yields.
  • C. The bond’s duration increases as yields rise and decreases as yields fall.

Question 3

Compared to an option-free bond, a callable bond exhibits negative convexity when yields are:

  • A. High, because the call option is deep out of the money.
  • B. Low, because the price is capped near the call price as the issuer is likely to call.
  • C. At any level, because callable bonds always have negative convexity.

Question 4

A portfolio contains three bonds with the following characteristics:

BondMarket ValueModified Duration
X$2,000,0003.5
Y$3,000,0006.0
Z$5,000,0009.2

The portfolio’s modified duration is closest to:

  • A. 6.23
  • B. 6.90
  • C. 7.30