The number of years a convertible security must be held in order for its extra current income to cover the excess of its market price over its value in terms of common stock (that is, annual interest on the bond minus annual dividends on the stock). For example, a 10% coupon bond selling for $1,000, convertible to common stock with a market value of $600 and paying no dividend, would have a breakeven time of $400/$100, or 4 years.
