Day-Count Convention

Filed Under »
Dictionary Says

Definition of 'Day-Count Convention'

A system used to determine the number of days between two coupon dates, which is important in calculating accrued interest and present value when the next coupon payment is less than a full coupon period away. Each bond market has its own day-count convention.
Investopedia Says

Investopedia explains 'Day-Count Convention'

There are several different types of day-count conventions. For example, a 30/360 day-count convention assumes there are 30 days in a month and 360 days in a year. An actual/actual day-count convention uses the actual number of days in the month and year for a given interest period.

This concept might sound illogical. After all, regardless of the particular bond market there will always be 365 days in a year! Nevertheless, these conventions are standards that have developed over time and help to ensure that everybody is on an even playing field when a bond is sold between coupon dates.

Articles Of Interest

  1.

    How To Compare Yields On Different Bonds

    Find out how to equalize and compare fixed-income investments with different yield conventions.

  2. If different bond markets use different day-count conventions, how do I know which one is used in any particular market?

    A day-count convention is a system used in the bond markets to determine the number of days between two coupon dates. This system is important to traders of various bonds because it affects how ...

  3. The Basics Of The T-Bill

    The U.S. government has two primary methods of raising capital. One is by taxing individuals, businesses, trusts and estates; and the other is by issuing fixed-income securities that are backed ...

  4. Introduction To Commercial Paper

    Commercial paper is a short-term instrument that can be a viable alternative for retail fixed-income investors looking for a better rate of return on their money.

  5. Why Your Pension Plan Has Sovereign Debt In It

    One type of security pensions tend to invest in is sovereign debt, or debt issued by a government.

  6. 6 Popular ETF Types For Your Portfolio

    Exchange traded funds are an extremely popular diversification tool that can protect your portfolio during troubled periods.

  7. Top 5 Budgeting Questions Answered

    You don't need a degree to understand your money, begin saving and pay down debt.

  8. Asset Allocation: The First Step Toward Profit

    Understanding the different asset classes is an essential part of portfolio diversification.

  9. Junk Bond

    Find out more about these bonds that have a high risk of default.

  10. Guaranteed Retirement Income In Any Market

    By laddering annuities, you can be sure you'll have income no matter what the market does.
comments powered by Disqus
Marketplace
Hot Definitions

  1. Network Effect

    A phenomenon whereby a good or service becomes more valuable when more people use it. The internet is a good example...

  2. Racketeering

    Racketeering refers to criminal activity that is performed to benefit an organization such as a crime syndicate. Examples of racketeering activity include...

  3. Lawful Money

    Any form of currency issued by the United States Treasury and not the Federal Reserve System, including gold and silver coins, Treasury notes, and Treasury bonds. Lawful money stands in contrast to fiat money, to which the government assigns value although it has no intrinsic value of its own and is not backed by reserves.

  4. Fast Market Rule

    A rule in the United Kingdom that permits market makers to trade outside quoted ranges, when an exchange determines that market movements are so sharp that quotes cannot be kept current.

  5. Absorption Rate

    The rate at which available homes are sold in a specific real estate market during a given time period.

  6. Yellow Sheets

    A United States bulletin that provides updated bid and ask prices as well as other information on over-the-counter (OTC) corporate bonds...
Trading Center