What is the purpose of the RVS function in bond evaluations?

The RVS function in bond evaluations is designed to evaluate relative value against the swap curve, making it a critical tool for investors and analysts in the fixed income market. This function facilitates a deeper understanding of how a specific bond is priced relative to the interest rates offered by swaps, which theoretically represent the cost of borrowing or lending in the market. By comparing a bond's yield to the swap curve, users can assess whether the bond is overvalued or undervalued based on its risk profile and market conditions.

Understanding relative value is crucial for bond investors as it informs decisions regarding buying or selling bonds in order to align with investment strategies. This function helps clarify potential investment advantages by highlighting discrepancies between bond yields and those of swaps, allowing users to identify opportunities that might not be immediately apparent through other analysis methods.

While the other options relate to different aspects of bond analysis—such as forward rates, historical spreads, and graphical representations—none specifically address the direct evaluation of a bond's relative value against the swap curve as the RVS function does.