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A dollar-duration-neutral butterfly combines a long barbell (short T_1 and long T_3 maturities) with a short bullet (intermediate T_2) at zero net cost, immunizing against parallel yield curve shifts to profit from yield curve curvature changes.
fixed-income
butterfly
duration-neutral
yield-curve
curvature

Dollar-Duration-Neutral Butterfly

Section: 5.6 | Asset Class: Fixed Income | Type: Yield Curve / Curvature

Overview

The dollar-duration-neutral butterfly is a zero-cost combination of a long barbell (long T_1 and T_3 maturity bonds) and a short bullet (short the T_2 intermediate maturity bond), where T_1 < T_2 < T_3. Both zero cost (dollar neutrality) and dollar-duration neutrality conditions are imposed, immunizing the portfolio against parallel yield curve shifts. The strategy profits from changes in yield curve curvature.

Construction / Mechanics

Let P_1, P_2, P_3 be the dollar amounts invested in the three bonds, and D_1, D_2, D_3 their modified durations.

Zero-cost (dollar neutrality): the long barbell finances the short bullet position:

P_1 + P_3 = P_2                                                      (404)

Dollar-duration neutrality (parallel shift immunity):

P_1·D_1 + P_3·D_3 = P_2·D_2                                         (405)

These two equations determine P_1 and P_3 given P_2.

Payoff / Return Profile

  • Profits when the yield curve becomes more curved (humped): the intermediate yield rises relative to the wings, or the wings fall relative to the body.
  • Immune to small parallel shifts in the yield curve (both level and dollar-duration matched).
  • Exposed to changes in the slope and curvature of the yield curve.

Key Parameters / Signals

  • T_1 (short wing), T_2 (body), T_3 (long wing): the three maturities; T_1 < T_2 < T_3
  • D_1, D_2, D_3: modified durations of the three bonds
  • P_2: the reference position size (determines P_1 and P_3 via the two constraints)

Variations

  • See also: fifty-fifty butterfly (5.7) and regression-weighted butterfly (5.8), which relax the zero-cost condition.

Notes

  • Dollar-duration neutrality (Eq. 405) protects against parallel shifts only; non-parallel changes in slope or curvature can still generate losses or gains.
  • The zero-cost constraint (Eq. 404) means no initial capital is required, making it attractive as an overlay strategy.
  • In practice, bid-ask spreads, financing costs, and liquidity differences across maturities affect profitability.