A bond for the Webster Corporation has the following characteristics:
Maturity-12 years
Coupon-10%
Yield to maturity-9.50%
Macaulay duration-5.7 years
Convexity-48
Noncallable
a. Calculate the approximate price change for this bond using only its duration assuming its yield to maturity increased by 150 basis points. Discuss the impact of the calculation, including the convexity effect.
b. Calculate the approximate price change for this bond (using only its duration) if its yield to maturity declined by 300 basis points. Discuss (without calculations) what would happen to your estimate of the price change if this was a callable bond.