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Duration

Forums › Ask ACCA Tutor Forums › Ask the Tutor ACCA AFM Exams › Duration

  • This topic has 8 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 12 years ago by John Moffat.
Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
  • Author
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  • November 9, 2012 at 11:07 pm #55150
    dazhong0703
    Member
    • Topics: 44
    • Replies: 130
    • ☆☆

    Since duration is the average time to recoup initial investment, why in the duration formula, I cannot see any variables regarding initial investment. Does it mean recoup $1 and $1m take the same average time?
    Thanks.

    November 10, 2012 at 9:27 pm #106939
    John Moffat
    Keymaster
    • Topics: 57
    • Replies: 54659
    • ☆☆☆☆☆

    The duration is used for fixed interest bonds etc. and its the average time to pay the interest and principal (which is not quite the same as what you have said). The interest and principal are both obviously based on the initial investment (principal).

    November 11, 2012 at 12:38 pm #106940
    dazhong0703
    Member
    • Topics: 44
    • Replies: 130
    • ☆☆

    How about the duration for project, pls? Assuming the project can break even by pay back method in 5 years, however till 10-20 years, the project can still generate profit. How many years to use for calculating duration, pls? Thanks.

    November 11, 2012 at 8:21 pm #106941
    John Moffat
    Keymaster
    • Topics: 57
    • Replies: 54659
    • ☆☆☆☆☆

    Macaulays duration is not for projects but for bonds etc..

    For projects you could use payback period, but that is completely different.

    November 12, 2012 at 10:08 am #106942
    dazhong0703
    Member
    • Topics: 44
    • Replies: 130
    • ☆☆

    Two of my lecturers said duration can be used for project, use the project life given by question, I just want to study further. The question can be set as why payback is no good, therefore replaced by discounted payback, or by duration, which is recent development.

    November 12, 2012 at 8:17 pm #106943
    John Moffat
    Keymaster
    • Topics: 57
    • Replies: 54659
    • ☆☆☆☆☆

    I suggest that you ask your two lecturers then! 🙂

    November 13, 2012 at 12:09 am #106944
    dazhong0703
    Member
    • Topics: 44
    • Replies: 130
    • ☆☆

    For exam purpose, I just accept project life given by the question. But I feel that it may be like IRR, by trial & error, to adjust one more/less year till NPV=0, then use that ‘adjusted project life’ to calculate duration.

    November 13, 2012 at 1:11 pm #106945
    dazhong0703
    Member
    • Topics: 44
    • Replies: 130
    • ☆☆

    Pilot paper Q3.Jonas Chemical Systems is an example for project duration.

    November 13, 2012 at 7:37 pm #106946
    John Moffat
    Keymaster
    • Topics: 57
    • Replies: 54659
    • ☆☆☆☆☆

    But that question was written by the previous examiner who was removed, not by the current examiner.

    However, even so, his answer calculates it the same way as for a bond, and takes no account of the intitial investment.

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