Posted: September 13th, 2017

Report ,, choose a set of four on-the-run Australian Commonwealth Government Securities. Collect the key characteristics of each of the bonds (coupon rate, maturity date) and bond yield data as at the end of June 2014 (last working day)

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choose a set of four on-the-run Australian Commonwealth Government Securities. Collect the key

characteristics of each of the bonds (coupon rate, maturity date) and bond yield data

as at the end of June 2014 (last working day) and the end of December 2014 (last

working day). The bond data can be found on the RBA website

(http://www.rba.gov.au)  (you will have to do some exploration of the site to find and

understand what you are looking for).

Required:

Part 1: (15 Marks)

A. Calculate the dirty price, clean price, modified duration and modified

convexity of the Government bonds as at the end of June 2014 and the end of

December 2014. (5 marks)

B. Calculate the holding period return for each of the bonds over the period from

the end of June 2014 to the end of December 2014. (5 marks)

C. Calculate the modified duration, modified convexity for an equally-weighted

portfolio of the bonds at both dates and estimate the holding period return for

the portfolio over the 6-month period between the two dates. Report on your

findings. Compare and contrast the return and volatility of the portfolio and

the separate bonds at both dates. (5 marks)

(hint – the dirty prices you need for part A are found in an interim step in the

duration calculation, no need to calculate them separately).

Part 2: (15 Marks)

A. Use ALL available Government bond data (i.e. not just the bonds in your

portfolio) to construct and present a yield curve, spot curve and forward curve

as at the end of June 2014 and the end of December 2014. Your spot curve and

forward curve estimation should go out no more than 5 years. Present and

discuss your findings. (5 marks)

B. Review the predictive ability of the yield, spot and forward curves with

comprehensive reference to the relevant academic literature. Discuss the

curves that you have estimated in Part 2A with reference to this literature.

Does the June 2014 forward curve appear to predict the 6 month spot rates at

December 2014? Comment. (10 marks)BAFI 1065 – 2015 Page 8 of 11

Part 3: (10 marks)

Dealing Simulation Report

Requirements:

A: (4 Marks)

Describe the shape and level of the current Yield Curve in Australian Commonwealth

Government Securities (ie: at the time of your dealing sessions – use data gathered

from the trading system in the FMTS, plot the curve and discuss it).

Comment on its implications for Fixed-Interest fund managers.

Based on your view of the yield curve, and other sources, what is your view on

Interest Rates in Australia for the following time horizons:

6 Months·

12 Months·

B: (4 Marks)

With respect to your trading portfolio:

1. Report on your Portfolio composition in Market Value Terms and Face Value

Terms:

(a) At the commencement of trading

(b) After Dealing Session 2

2. What is the level of interest rate risk in your portfolio, as measured by:

(a) Portfolio Modified Duration at the commencement of trading

(b) Portfolio Modified Duration after Dealing Session 2

3. How has the interest rate risk profile of your portfolio changed? What are the

implications for your portfolio in the current yield curve environment?

4. Comment on whether you achieved your set objectives with regard to interest rate