Question

A company issues bonds with a par value of $1,000 and a maturity of 10 years. The bonds pay interest based upon an annual fixed coupon rate of 6%. Eight years pass since the issuance date and the going rate in the market for similar bonds is 8%. What price should an investor be willing to pay for one bond eight years after the issuance date?

Answer 1

Okay, here are the steps to solve this problem:

1) The par value of the bond is $1,000. This is the face value that will be paid at maturity.

2) The coupon rate is 6% per year. Since the bonds mature in 10 years, the total coupon payment over the life of the bond will be 6% * $1,000 * 10 = $600.

3) 8 years have already passed. So there are 2 years left until maturity. The remaining coupon payments will be $600 * 2/10 = $120.

4) The current market rate for similar bonds is 8%. So the required return for a new bond is 8%. We want to know the price that will generate an 8% yield over the last 2 years.

5) Calculate the future value of $120 received in 2 years at an 8% rate. This comes out to be $120 * (1.08)^2 = $129.63.

6) To generate $129.63 in 2 years with $1,000 par value at maturity, we need a price of $770. This ensures an 8% yield over the last 2 years of the bond.

So in summary, an investor should be willing to pay about $770 for one bond eight years after issuance to get an 8% yield over the remaining two years until maturity. Let me know if you have any other questions!