Topic 4- Bonds and Bond pricing

Bond Indenture3 things it includes

A legal document between bondholders and issuing company. It protects the bondholders.It includes...1. classifications of bonds- what type2. Basic terms of the bonds3. Total amount of bonds issued

Bond Classifications

1. Security2. Seniority

Face value/par value (FV)

Due at maturity of the bond, usually $1000

Coupon rate (r)

The interest amount of a bond. It determines the coupon (c) interest amount of a bond, paid at regular intervals until the maturity date.

C (coupon interest payment)

0

Yield to maturity

Rate required in the market. Discount rate that sets the PV of coupon payments equal to the current market price of the bond

Maturity date

The final repayment date of a bond.

Years to maturity (t)

The time it takes for a bond to mature

Price of a bond

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Zero Coupon bonds

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Coupon rate= Yield to maturity

Trade at par value

Coupon rate < Yield to maturity

Trade at a discount

Coupon rate > Yield to maturity

Trade at a premium

Interest rate risk

The potential changes in bond prices as interest rate fluctuates result in gain or losses to a bondholder

Sensitivity

The degree in the rate of change for a bond price. It directly depends on the coupon rates and years to maturity.Highly sensitive= high interest rate risk

How is YTM determined? What do investors expect to receive?3 components

There is a 'base' or 'real' return determined by the rate o return of treasury bills- considered to be 'risk free'3 components:Term premiumInflation premiumDefault Risk premium

Term premium (interest rate premium)

Compensation for investors in LT bonds for possessing a greater level of risk than investors in ST bonds.

Inflation premium

Compensation for expected future inflation (for goods predicted to become more expensive)

Default Risk premium

Compensation for possibility of default (company not being able to pay back the face value of the bond)

Fisher Effect relationship=

(1 + nominal rate)= (1 + rr of return) x (1 + inflation rate)

Liquidity premium

...

Treasury Securities

Are bonds issued by the government of a country. No risk of bankruptcy for government securities (because they can print more money)

Inflation

The same goods cost more in the future than they do today. And as goods become more expensive, investors will demand a greater rate of return for their investments.

Can corporations go bankrupt?

Yes, they have a default risk premium that government bonds don't have , it is to compensate investors for the possibility that the company may not be able to repay the bonds coupon interests or the face value/principal

How are bankruptcy probabilities monitored?2 types

By rating companies. These rating agencies categorise a company's default and degree of protection for creditors.Two types: 1. Investment grade2. Speculative grade

Investment grade

Standard + poors/Moody's:AAA/Aaa ie. least likely to go bankruptAA/AaA/ABBB/BaaDefault risk premium= small

Speculative grade

Standard + poors/Moody's:BB/BaBCCC/CaaCC/CaCD ie. most likely to go bankruptDefault risk premium= large