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The Daily Insight

What happens to duration when interest rates rise?

Author

Mia Ramsey

Published Feb 16, 2026

Duration has the same effect on bond funds. For example, a bond fund with 10-year duration will decrease in value by 10 percent if interest rates rise one percent. If a fund’s duration is two years, then a one percent rise in interest rates will result in a two percent decline in the bond fund’s value.

What is the relationship between interest rates and the length of time to maturity?

Relationship between interest rates and length of time to maturity: The interest rate on the bond and the maturity period of the bond are directly related to each other. The risk associated with a bond increases with increase in maturity period because of uncertainty in receiving return.

Why are long dated bonds more sensitive to interest rate changes?

When interest rates rise, bond prices fall (and vice-versa), with long-maturity bonds most sensitive to rate changes. This is because longer-term bonds have a greater duration than short-term bonds that are closer to maturity and have fewer coupon payments remaining.

How do interest rates affect bond duration?

% Change in bond prices if rates spike 1% For example, if a bond has a duration of five years and interest rates increase by 1%, the bond’s price will decline by approximately 5%. Conversely, if a bond has a duration of five years and interest rates fall by 1%, the bond’s price will increase by approximately 5%.

Is higher or lower duration better?

In general, the higher the duration, the more a bond’s price will drop as interest rates rise (and the greater the interest rate risk). Consequently, the shorter-maturity bond would have a lower duration and less risk. Coupon rate: A bond’s coupon rate is a key factor in calculation duration.

Why do low coupon rate bonds have more price risk?

Generally, bonds with long maturities and low coupons have the longest durations. These bonds are more sensitive to a change in market interest rates and thus are more volatile in a changing rate environment. Because bonds with shorter maturities return investors’ principal more quickly than long-term bonds do.

How does interest rate change with time?

As a general rule, for every 1% increase or decrease in interest rates, a bond’s price will change approximately 1% in the opposite direction for every year of duration. For example, if a bond has a duration of 5 years, and interest rates increase by 1%, the bond’s price will decline by approximately 5%.

Does duration change as yield changes?

Duration is inversely related to the bond’s yield to maturity (YTM). Duration can increase or decrease given an increase in the time to maturity (but it usually increases). You can look at this relationship in the upcoming interactive 3D app.

What is interest-rate duration?

Duration is a measure of the sensitivity of the price of a bond or other debt instrument to a change in interest rates. However, a bond’s term is a linear measure of the years until repayment of principal is due; it does not change with the interest rate environment.

What is the relationship between duration and risk?

In general, the higher the duration, the more a bond’s price will drop as interest rates rise (and the greater the interest rate risk).

Why do some people invest in bonds with low interest rates?

Which investment has greater liquidity, a savings account or CD? Why do some people invest in bonds with a low interest rate? Because the bond has a high rating (investment-grade) What is one possible problem with bonds/investments in general?

What is interest rate duration?

How do you calculate interest rate risk?

Write the formula to compute interest-rate risk: (Original price – new price)/new price.

Why does YTM increase when interest rate increase?

When the bond is priced at par, the bond’s interest rate is equal to its coupon rate. The YTM is merely a snapshot of the return on a bond because coupon payments cannot always be reinvested at the same interest rate. As interest rates rise, the YTM will increase; as interest rates fall, the YTM will decrease.

Why does bond convexity exist?

Convexity is a measure of the curvature in the relationship between bond prices and bond yields. Convexity demonstrates how the duration of a bond changes as the interest rate changes. If a bond’s duration increases as yields increase, the bond is said to have negative convexity.