QUESTION

(i) Write short notes on

a. Callable Bonds

b. Yield to Maturity

c. Zero-Coupon Bonds

(ii) Consider a bond with a 12% coupon rate and paying interest semi-annually. The maturity date is March 1, 2013, and the settlement date is July 1, 2011. Assuming that the yield to maturity is 5%, calculate

a. The dirty price,

b. The accrued interest,

c. The clean price.

(iii) Suppose you hold a five-year bond with a par value of $100 and a coupon rate of 5%. Assume that the bond is paid annually and that interest rates are 3% (yield).

a. What is the duration of the bond?

b. What is the duration of the bond if instead the coupon rate was 1%?

c. What is the duration of the bond if instead the coupon rate was 3%?

d. How would your answers in parts (a), (b) and (c) change if you were holding a ten-year bond instead?

e. What conclusions can you draw?