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Comments on How can I re-write or supplant “basis point” UNambiguously?

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How can I re-write or supplant “basis point” UNambiguously?

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For this question, please DON'T use or even allude to "basis point" in your rewording, because I'm trying to replace "basis point"! "basis point" befuddles me! Basis Point (BPS) Definition

One basis point is equivalent to 0.01% (1/100th of a percent) or 0.0001 in decimal form.

Please peruse quotation below. Can I remove all ambiguity, if I just add "absolute" or "relative" before the percentage change? In Scenario 1 below, I'd say 5% absolute increase. In Scenario 2, I'd say 5% relative increase. If this is still ambiguous, how else can I word and disambiguate them?

Consider the following statement: "The bond's yield was 10% before rising 5%." This expression may be interpreted in two entirely different ways. [Scenario 1 of 2] In one scenario, the 5% increase is absolute, in which case the new yield is 15%. [Scenario 2 of 2] Alternatively, the increase could have been relative, where 5% of 10% is 0.5%. In this scenario, the new yield would be 10.5%.

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tommi‭ wrote almost 4 years ago

The way I read this question, the "basis point" is a red herring not related to the question at all. Is it a typical answer you are not satisfied with? I that case, maybe remove it from the title and move the text about it to the end of the question under a suitable sub-heaving.

r~~‭ wrote almost 4 years ago

In financial math, the term ‘point’ is used precisely to indicate what you call ‘absolute increase’. The difference is that everyone in the field will know what you mean if you say ’basis point’ or ‘percentage point’, and people will ask for clarification if you say ‘absolute increase’. Your wording isn't ambiguous so much as just not the standard wording used in the field; the standard term is ‘point’.