Bond Math: The Theory Behind the Formulas

A bond calculation quick reference, complete with context and application insights Bond Math is a quick and easy resource that puts the intricacies of bond calculations into a clear and logical order. This simple, readable guide provides a handy reference, teaching the reader how to think about the essentials of bond math. Much more than just a book of formulas, the emphasis is on how to think about bonds and the associated math, with plenty of examples, anecdotes, and thought-provoking insights that sometimes run counter to conventional wisdom. This updated second edition includes popular Bloomberg pages used in fixed-income analysis, including the Yield and Spread Analysis page, plus a companion website complete with an Online Workbook of multiple choice questions and answers and spreadsheet exercises. Detailed coverage of key calculations, including thorough explanations, provide practical guidance to working bond professionals. The bond market is the largest and most liquid in the world, encompassing everything from Treasuries and investment grade corporate paper to municipals and junk bonds, trading over $900 billion daily in the U.S. alone. Bond Math is a guide to the inevitable calculations involved in managing bonds, with expert insight on the portfolios and investment strategies that puts the math in perspective. Clear and concise without sacrificing detail, this book helps readers to: Delineate the characteristics of different types of debt securities Calculate implied forward and spot rates and discount factors Work with rates of return, yield statistics, and interest rate swaps Understand duration-based risk measures, and more Memorizing formulas is one thing, but really learning how to mentally approach the math behind bonds is something else entirely. This approach places calculations in context, and enables easier transition from theory to application. For the bond professional seeking a quick math reference, Bond Math provides that and so much more.

About the Author

DONALD J. SMITH is an associate professor of finance at the School of Management, Boston University. Smith specializes in teaching fixed-income markets and risk management courses and has published widely in academic and trade journals, including the Financial Analysts Journal; Journal of Finance; Journal of Money, Credit, and Banking; Journal of Fixed Income; Journal of Financial Engineering; and many others.