1. Three $1,000 face value bonds that mature in 10 years have the same level of risk, hence their YTMs are equal. Bond A has an 8% annual coupon, Bond B has a 10% annual coupon, and Bond C has a 12% annual coupon. Bond B sells at par. Assuming interest rates remain constant for the next 10 years, which of the following statements is CORRECT?
Answer: D. Bond A sells at a discount (its price is less than par), and its price is expected to increase over the next year.
Explanation: Discount because As' return is lower than the one demanded by market. Price will increase because the smaller YTM the smaller discount (or bigger premium) for difference in bonds' and market returns.
2. Which of the following statements is CORRECT?
Answer: E. The actual life of a callable bond will always be equal to or less than the actual life of a noncallable bond with the same maturity. Therefore, if the yield curve is upward sloping, the required rate of return will be lower on the callable bond.
Explanation: A callable bond (also called redeemable bond) is a type of bond (debt security) that allows the issuer of the bond to retain the privilege of redeeming the bond at some point before the bond reaches its date of maturity. In other words, on the call date(s), the issuer has the right, but not the obligation, to buy back the bonds from the bond holders at a defined call price. Technically speaking, the bonds are not really bought and held by the issuer but are instead cancelled immediately.
3. Which of the following statements is CORRECT?
Answer: A. Assume that two bonds have equal maturities and are of equal risk, but one bond sells at par while the other sells at a premium above par. The premium bond must have a lower current yield and a higher capital gains yield than the par bond.
4. Suppose a new company decides to raise a total of $200 million, with $100 million as common equity and $100 million as long-term debt. The debt can be