Interest Rate Risk (2024)

The probability of a decline in the value of an asset resulting from unexpected fluctuations in the interest rate

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Written byCFI Team

What is Interest Rate Risk?

Interest rate risk is the probability of a decline in the value of an asset resulting from unexpected fluctuations in interest rates. Interest rate risk is mostly associated with fixed-income assets (e.g., bonds) rather than with equity investments. The interest rate is one of the primary drivers of a bond’s price.

Interest Rate Risk (1)

The current interest rate and the price of a bond demonstrate an inverse relationship. In other words, when the interest rate increases, the price of a bond decreases.

Understanding Opportunity Risk

The inverse relationship between the interest rate and bond prices can be explained by opportunity risk. By purchasing bonds, an investor assumes that if the interest rate increases, he or she will give up the opportunity of purchasing the bonds with more attractive returns. Whenever the interest rate increases, the demand for existing bonds with lower returns declines as new investment opportunities arise (e.g., new bonds with higher return rates are issued).

Although the prices of all bonds are affected by interest rate fluctuations, the magnitude of the change varies among bonds. Different bonds show different price sensitivities to interest rate fluctuations. Thus, it is imperative to evaluate a bond’s duration while assessing the interest rate risk.

Generally, bonds with a shorter time to maturity carry a smaller interest rate risk compared to bonds with longer maturities. Long-term bonds imply a higher probability of interest rate changes. Therefore, they carry a higher interest rate risk.

How to Mitigate Interest Rate Risk

Similar to other types of risks, the interest rate risk can be mitigated. The most common tools for interest rate mitigation include:

1. Diversification

If a bondholder is afraid of interest rate risk that can negatively affect the value of his portfolio, he can diversify his existing portfolio by adding securities whose value is less prone to interest rate fluctuations (e.g., equity). If the investor has a “bonds only” portfolio, he can diversify the portfolio by including a mix of short-term and long-term bonds.

2. Hedging

The interest rate risk can also be mitigated through various hedging strategies. These strategies generally include the purchase of different types of derivatives. The most common examples include interest rate swaps, options, futures, and forward rate agreements (FRAs).

More Resources

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Interest Rate Risk (2024)

FAQs

Interest Rate Risk? ›

Interest rate risk is the potential that a change in overall interest rates will reduce the value of a bond or other fixed-rate investment: As interest rates rise bond prices fall, and vice versa. This means that the market price of existing bonds drops to offset the more attractive rates of new bond issues.

What is interest rate risk? ›

Interest rate risk is the potential that a change in overall interest rates will reduce the value of a bond or other fixed-rate investment: As interest rates rise bond prices fall, and vice versa. This means that the market price of existing bonds drops to offset the more attractive rates of new bond issues.

What is real interest rate risk? ›

The real interest rate is the rate of interest an investor, saver or lender receives (or expects to receive) after allowing for inflation. It can be described more formally by the Fisher equation, which states that the real interest rate is approximately the nominal interest rate minus the inflation rate.

How do banks manage interest rate risk? ›

Banks can manage IRR by either adjusting the composition of their balance sheet or hedging with derivatives. One approach is to match the interest rate sensitivity of assets and liabilities in specific repricing buckets. This is effective for mitigating IRR when net interest income accounts for the bulk of profits.

What is interest rate risk in mortgage? ›

Interest Rate Risk in Mortgages & Securitization

A change in market interest rates leads to an opposite change in the value of a mortgage. Volatile market interest rates → Volatile mortgage value → volatile cash flow to banks holding many mortgages on balance sheets.

How to avoid interest rate risk? ›

You can hedge against interest rate risk by purchasing derivatives. This way, you won't be as vulnerable to rising rates devaluing their bond returns. You can use derivatives such as CFDs to speculate on whether a particular investment is likely to rise or fall in value.

What has the highest interest rate risk? ›

Bonds of longer duration face greater interest rate risk than short-term ones. Bond funds offer easy and affordable diversification that can reduce interest rate risk in your portfolio.

What is risk based interest rate? ›

Risk-based pricing is when a lender offers you less favorable loan terms, such as a higher interest rate. The lender decides this based on information in your credit report or application.

What is interest rate risk in fixed deposits? ›

Risks on interest rates - Interest rate risk is one of the biggest risks while investing in FDs. If the interest rates are low and the FDs are locked in a fixed tenor, then the return earned will also be low.

What is the current real interest rate? ›

Basic Info. US Real Interest Rate is at -1.19%, compared to 2.21% last year.

How do you hedge interest rate risk? ›

A more direct way to hedge against interest rate risk is through Interest Rate Swaps. This technique involves exchanging a fixed rate loan for a floating rate loan, or vice versa, with another party. Swapping a floating rate loan for a fixed rate loan provides a safeguard against rising interest rates.

How to measure a bank interest rate risk? ›

There are many methods used for measuring exposure to interest rates. Three of the more widely used methods used are 1) gap analysis models, 2) economic value of equity / net economic value models and 3) net interest income simulation models.

Why are banks failing with high interest rates? ›

Besides loans, banks also invest in bonds and other debt securities, which lose value when interest rates rise. Banks may be forced to sell these at a loss if faced with sudden deposit withdrawals or other funding pressures. The failure of Silicon Valley Bank was a dramatic example of this bond-loss channel.

Why is interest rate risk bad? ›

Interest rate risk directly affects the values of fixed income securities. Since interest rates and bond prices are inversely related, the risk associated with a rise in interest rates causes bond prices to fall and vice versa.

What is interest rate risk in simple words? ›

Interest rate risk is the probability of a decline in the value of an asset resulting from unexpected fluctuations in interest rates. Interest rate risk is mostly associated with fixed-income assets (e.g., bonds) rather than with equity investments. The interest rate is one of the primary drivers of a bond's price.

Is interest rate risk the same as credit risk? ›

Bonds with a heavy interest rate risk are subject to changes in interest rates, and they tend to do poorly when rates begin to rise. "Credit risk" refers to the chance that investors won't be repaid for the amount they paid in, or at least for a portion of interest and principal.

What is interest rate risk in the banking book? ›

Interest rate risk in the banking book (IRRBB) is the risk of loss in earnings or a fall in the value of banking book items due to adverse movements in interest rates.

What is interest rate risk in treasury management? ›

Interest rate risk arises when changes in market interest rates and interest margins influence finance costs, returns on financial investments and valuation of interest-bearing items. The interest rate risk is managed and controlled by Treasury.

What is credit vs interest rate risk? ›

Bonds with a heavy interest rate risk are subject to changes in interest rates, and they tend to do poorly when rates begin to rise. "Credit risk" refers to the chance that investors won't be repaid for the amount they paid in, or at least for a portion of interest and principal.

What is the difference between interest rate risk and reinvestment risk? ›

The prospect that a bond you hold loses value due to rising interest rates is known as interest rate risk. Reinvestment risk is the inability to reinvest money into securities that will earn the same or higher rates as your original investment.

References

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