Convexity Risk Exposure

Definition

Convexity risk exposure refers to the sensitivity of a bond’s duration to changes in interest rates, reflecting the non-linear relationship between bond prices and yields. While duration provides a first-order approximation of price change, convexity captures the second-order effect, indicating how much duration itself changes. For fixed-income derivatives, understanding this non-linearity is critical for accurate risk management. Positive convexity is generally favorable for investors, as prices rise more when yields fall than they fall when yields rise.