Reference no: EM133925280

Problem

Unlike the coupon interest rate, which is fixed, a bond's yield varies from day to day depending on current market conditions. To be most useful, it should give us an estimate of the rate of return an investor would earn if that investor purchased the bond today and held it for its remaining life. There are three different yield calculations: Current yield, yield to maturity, and yield to call. A bond's current yield is calculated as the annual interest payment divided by the bond's current price. Unlike the yield to maturity or the yield to call, it does not represent the rate of return that investors should expect because it does not account for the capital gain or loss that will be realized if the bond is held until it matures or is called. This yield was popular before calculators and computers came along because it was easy to calculate; however, because it can be misleading the yield to maturity and yield to call are more relevant. The yield to maturity (YTM) is the rate of return earned on a bond if it is held to maturity. It is the interest rate that forces the present value of the bond to equal the present values of the interest payments received during the life of the bond and the maturity value received at the bond's maturity. Get the instant assignment help. Calculate YTM using a financial calculator by entering the number of payment periods until maturity for N, the price of the bond for PV, the interest payments for PMT, and the maturity value for FV. Then solve for I/YR = YTM.