OAS and determining if callable or puttable

CFA Level III
#1

Ah our old foe, OAS. A concept that has caused numerous confusions from my days as a Level 1 candidate. Each year, I merely memorise some facts about it, enough to get over the line.

This year I finally want to understand this thing.

Can someone please give as simple an explanation as possible of the OAS, how it relates to Z spread and when given a table of OAS. Z etc how we determine whether it is callable or puttable.

Thank you!

#2

HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO?

I know everyone wants to have some really fun OAS related discussions. Where are youuuuuuuuu?

#3

This is for call options:

OAS = z-spread - value of call option

  • the OAS is always < z-spread for callable bonds

  • the higher the volatility, the lower the OAS

I found a pretty good thread on this topic:

https://www.analystforum.com/forums/cfa-forums/cfa-level-i-forum/91310184

#4

Thanks Mr RS - I’ll have a read,

Anyone else want to try demystify?

#5

z-spread - bps spread for risky bond added to each point of yield curve of non-risky t-bond to equal with the price of this risky bond.

OAS - z-spread additionally adjusted for bonds with embedded options to equal with such bond’s price.

z-spread = OAS if no embedded options in risky bond.

Demystified? If still not, DuckDuckGo is your friend.