Abstract

Journal of Actuarial Practice

Volume 12, 2005


A Primer on Duration, Convexity, and Immunization

Leslaw Gajek, Krzysztof Ostaszewski, and Hans-Joachim Zwiesler

Abstract

The concepts of duration, convexity, and immunization are fundamental tools of asset-liability management. This paper provides a theoretical and practical overview   of the concepts, largely missing in the existing literature on the subject, and fills some holes in the body of research on the subject. We not   present new research, but rather we provide a new presentation of the underlying theory, which we believe to be of value in the new North American actuarial education system.  

Key words and phrases: duration, convexity, M-squared, immunization, yield curve, term structure of interest rates

Corresponding Author:

Leslaw Gajek

Instytut Matematyki,

Politechnika Lodzka,

ul. Wolczanska 215,

93-005 Lodz,

POLAND

E-mail: gal@p.lodz.pl


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